Randy Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 Does everybody send in there soil to get tested or, do you use a test kit and do it yourself? I see they have some kind of a probe that you apparently just push in the ground and it reads the ph. Anybody tried this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QDMAworks4me Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 Re: Soil testing question I send my soil samples out to be tested each year. It is worth the 10 dollars it costs for each sample in my opinion. They go into much more detail than most of the testing kits I have seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted April 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 Re: Soil testing question I'm kind of ignorant when it come to soil testing but, what do I need to know other than if I need to add lime?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 Re: Soil testing question Sent a sample in this year for my daughters 4 h plot program, but have not sent in soil samples every year. Do use a little handheld ph meter to check the ph of the soil myself, while it will not be as accurate as the testing facilities, I have had good results using a general fertilizer and lime according to my own sampling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QDMAworks4me Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 Re: Soil testing question [ QUOTE ] I'm kind of ignorant when it come to soil testing but, what do I need to know other than if I need to add lime?? [/ QUOTE ] Well if you are like me you do not like throwing money away. Everyone knows certain plants need certain things to grow. When you send a soil sample in they ask you what you are going to plant so they can give you the best advice on how much lyme and also what type of fertilizer is the best for your application and how much you will need per acre. Let me give you an example of what I am talking about. Last year I did a 5 acre food plot and saved a fair amount of money because the field had not been touched in 8 years. I figured it would need Lyme and fertilizer and I kept asking people how much I would need of each. Every person I asked told me to get a soil sample. I did and it saved me a bunch of money. I did not need any lyme and fertilizer only cost me about 250 bucks for 5 acres. The ten dollars ended up saving me a bunch of money in the long run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 Re: Soil testing question Sent in ours and got back the results. Looks like we'll be putting out 1 1/2 tons/acre in most of our food plots soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted April 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 Re: Soil testing question Do these probes give you any info on what you need for fertilizer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 Re: Soil testing question [ QUOTE ] Do these probes give you any info on what you need for fertilizer? [/ QUOTE ] The ph meters will not Randy. You can kind of guess on what you need for fertilizer for certain types of plants and do well. Soil tests can save you money if you get the fertilizers they suggest as mentioned above cutting out what you dont need. Problem is some fertilizers they may suggest depending on your soil may not always be available as a pre-bagged fertilizer, and might have to be custom mixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 Re: Soil testing question A reputable soil testing lab will make recommendations on lime requirements and fertilizer requirements as well. You only have to tell the lab what you intend to plant so they make the correct recommendations to fit your needs. This is in fact why I use my local Cooperative Extension. I can sit down with a live body and go over my plan and get good advice. This year I expect to plant several different species in one field which will require different fertilizers. I also have a local spray, seed and lime service who will check the results and verify them and mix any fertilizer blend I want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Re: Soil testing question Personally, I just dump a healthy dose of manure on my gardens once a year, or every other year. Tends to balance out the Ph/acidity. It's not a real science around here because of our clay soils, don't have to worry too much. I curse that heavy soil at times, but in the long run, I'm pretty lucky to have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sabotmaker Posted April 18, 2007 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 Personally, I just dump a healthy dose of manure on my gardens once a year, or every other year. Tends to balance out the Ph/acidity. It's not a real science around here because of our clay soils, don't have to worry too much. I curse that heavy soil at times, but in the long run, I'm pretty lucky to have it. Do you have naturally alkaline soils.......high ph's? Manure is acid, it will lower your ph. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad dryden Posted April 20, 2007 Report Share Posted April 20, 2007 Have the USDA test it I know whyen planting out crops it helpfull becouse it will tell you what the soil is lacking such as Iron,Nitrogen,Phosphat and stuff like that. Here I think it cost $15. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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