[owein]

does anyone know how trusteorthy are ph meters are? the type with a probe and dial.

I have taken several readings of my soil (fopllowing the instructions in fine detail) and it comes out pretty neutral. I am a bit suspicious, however, as My veg plot is surrounded by pine trees which shed a lot of needles onto the soil in the autumn and winter. And I am at the bottom of a very peaty hill.  Most people who visit asume the soil is acid.

I have grown pretty good brassicas, but could they be better?

would I be better off buying a soil test kit? and if so what's a good one

Thanks

[vegmandan]

I find that those cheapish probe meters are hopeless,they seem to give a different reading every time.

I'd suggest a test kit where you mix the soil with water and a chemical and you compare the colour to a chart, which seem more reliable and consistent than the probe ones.