I wonder how close soil tests from various testing labs would be? I'm not surprised the home test suggested you were low on macronutrients, after all, it's made by a company selling them. We have a soil test option that also checks for contaminants such as lead, which is something to consider if you live in an old property like ours. A very nice video, Cheers!
Thanks Gerry, that’s a good point. In this case I used an accredited soil laboratory, so I hope the results are as accurate as they can be. However, of course the results will only be as representative as the soil sample I provided! That’s another problem with the home kits, you only test a tiny scoop of soil, so it’s not a good representation of the whole soil sample. Thanks, yes, a heavy metal test is certainly worthwhile for soil next to old properties or near old industrial areas. Happy gardening! 🌸
Have you found different conclusions with soil test kits? And do YOUR pets get in the way of your gardening experiments? 🐈 (See what I mean at 5:52)! 🌸
Great questions Melanie! A little digging into the brand of test I used here would indicate that they don’t supply or produce fertiliser. So no apparent conflict of interest for this particular brand. But I can’t speak for all brands. The probe style soil pH meters can give accurate results, but they require the probes to be cleaned correctly and the soil to have just the right level of moisture. So they are often unreliable. I’d recommend buying pH test strips designed for soil, or getting the analysis from a certified soil laboratory. Happy gardening 🌸
I wonder how close soil tests from various testing labs would be?
I'm not surprised the home test suggested you were low on macronutrients, after all, it's made by a company selling them.
We have a soil test option that also checks for contaminants such as lead, which is something to consider if you live in an old property like ours.
A very nice video, Cheers!
Thanks Gerry, that’s a good point. In this case I used an accredited soil laboratory, so I hope the results are as accurate as they can be. However, of course the results will only be as representative as the soil sample I provided! That’s another problem with the home kits, you only test a tiny scoop of soil, so it’s not a good representation of the whole soil sample.
Thanks, yes, a heavy metal test is certainly worthwhile for soil next to old properties or near old industrial areas.
Happy gardening! 🌸
Have you found different conclusions with soil test kits? And do YOUR pets get in the way of your gardening experiments? 🐈 (See what I mean at 5:52)! 🌸
Do the makers of the soil testing kit also make the fertilisers you would add from the results 😝 Are the pH meters you can buy for soil accurate?
Great questions Melanie! A little digging into the brand of test I used here would indicate that they don’t supply or produce fertiliser. So no apparent conflict of interest for this particular brand. But I can’t speak for all brands.
The probe style soil pH meters can give accurate results, but they require the probes to be cleaned correctly and the soil to have just the right level of moisture. So they are often unreliable. I’d recommend buying pH test strips designed for soil, or getting the analysis from a certified soil laboratory. Happy gardening 🌸