Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Chatting => Equipment Shed => Topic started by: Goosegirl on February 19, 2021, 14:34

Title: Soil pH and nutrient testers.
Post by: Goosegirl on February 19, 2021, 14:34

Recently I got a kit to test the pH and NPK levels in my soil. The pH showed about 6.5 which I expected due to the variety of plants in nearby gardens, but the NPK values were basically nil which I found a bit strange as the few well-overgrown and unwanted shrub plants we removed when we moved in last June were healthy and showed no signs of nitrogen depletion in their leaves. I followed the instructions to the T and even tested our cold water supply to balance out the results from the soil. Anyone any suggestions for these odd results?

Title: Re: Soil pH and nutrient testers.
Post by: Yorkie on February 21, 2021, 19:29

Can you describe the NPK test - how did you do the analysis?  I'd be more inclined to think an issue with the test than the soil

Title: Re: Soil pH and nutrient testers.
Post by: Goosegirl on February 23, 2021, 15:48

It's the Rapid Test where you add one part soil to five parts water and let it settle. You then add the diluted solution into the plastic chamber provided and empty a capsule of power into it, give it a good shake, then compare the colour to a chart. There's one washable chamber and capsules for each NPK test.

Title: Re: Soil pH and nutrient testers.
Post by: Yorkie on February 25, 2021, 21:03

Hmm, I'm not sure what the issue could be.  Are you an RHS member? If so, I think they do an NPK analysis service?