[moggy]

hi everyone, i was just wondering what peoples preffered method of soil testing was?

ive been looking at either getting a chemical kit or a cheap electronic tester but cant decide.

cheers
Andy

[Aunt Sally]

Look at it, feel it, smell it, see what weeds are about, talk to plot neighbours and see what grows well.  

(and I'm a scientist   )

[paintedlady]

definitely look at the weeds.  The old saying that wherever you see a nettle, a dock will grow nearby is all down to soil pH.

For the those not in the know, use a dock leaf (or several) and rub it where a nettle has stung

[gobs]

And also there is the bare b***om testing, but that's for temperature.

[noshed]

I got a cheap kit out of Homebase. But you have to make sure you use distilled water, not tap water which I did...
A soil thermometer is great fun but not essential by any means.

[GreenOwl]

I've tried both.  I think the chemical kit is better.  To get good results with the electronic tester you have to prepare the soil in much the same way anyway.  

Having tried the kit (for which my soil came up a darker green - ie alkaline - than the strip showing the colours!) I then looked at my neighbours plants and realised that I should have predicted that result.  Hydrangers are pale pink to white unless dressed with whatever it is you give them to keep them blue, lilacs grow well etc. all indicating heavily alkaline soil.

So its up to you.  I suppose its less obvious on less extreme ph soils but then everything seems to grow despite the extreme ph.  I think you only really need to know the ph if you want to buy something expensive that needs a low or high ph.  Still it was interesting to use the test kit and I got one that had additional tests for nutrients as well.  Can't remember the results  so I still don't know what fertiliser to use.   :oops:

[Rob the rake]

And also there is the bare b***om testing, but that's for temperature.

I'm up for that! Any jobs going?

[gobs]

And also there is the bare b***om testing, but that's for temperature.

I'm up for that! Any jobs going?

No thermometers involved in this one.