[Yana]

Has anyone got a favourite / recommended supplier of an inexpensive soil pH testing kit?
many thanks 

[The Golden Heap]

I have and use the cheap one from marshalls about a fivers worth, happy new year

[mumofstig]

i think any of the test tube tests would work ok, just don't get one of those probe testers - they're next to useless 

[solway cropper]

just don't get one of those probe testers - they're next to useless 

In my experience they're not even that good !!

[fatcat1955]

Never used a soil test kit. Look at what weeds are growing on your plot. Nettles and creeping buttercup are clear signs you need to lime.

[Yana]

But what if I don't have either weeds?
I pulled a few buttercup during last year along with a few nettles, but not that many to be able to tell.
I got loads of 'stray' poppies that grew but that was cos a neighbouring plot had been left uncultivated and the seeds had blown in my ( and many other plot holders) direction.

[fatcat1955]

Have a look at your neighbour's plots and see what weeds are vigourous. By the way, Dartford is on chalky soil so your plot should be ok for most veg.

[cadalot]

If you know your allotments post code you can gain access to local Borehole Reports, Environmental Agency Maps and Geological Maps see http://cadalot-revitlearningcurve.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Maps
 for more info.

Re Soil PH Kits I will need to do some testing and have seen various kits on ebay from £5 upwards depending on how many tests you want to perform - so also interested in replies to this thread. I'm wondering why haserobert123 thinks the probe testers are naff?

[mumofstig]

simply because they don't work!

I think the variables inherent with using a probe (soil temp/moisture/how compacted the soil is) lead to unreliable readings. I could put the probe into the same whole twice or more and get different readings each time.

Test tube results are much more believable 

[cadalot]

I see, so bearing in mind half my plot was "under carpet" and weeds and the other half was just weeds and brambles, I'm guessing I will need to take 3 samples in each half to get an average or would you do each 2.4x1.2m bed? 

[The Golden Heap]

It was not i that said the probe testers are naff, although I have seen it on this forum that they are.  I have used the standard kits which are easy to use without any hassle and with lime applications on certain bays has proven to show improvement

If you know your allotments post code you can gain access to local Borehole Reports, Environmental Agency Maps and Geological Maps see http://cadalot-revitlearningcurve.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Maps
 for more info.

Re Soil PH Kits I will need to do some testing and have seen various kits on ebay from £5 upwards depending on how many tests you want to perform - so also interested in replies to this thread. I'm wondering why haserobert123 thinks the probe testers are naff?

All garden centres stock a decent chemical testing kit.  Best of luck I have struggled like mad with liming"

[allot2learn]

I've just ordered this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140899259065?var=440094625826&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

It's supposedly a 50 test kit for just over a fiver.
I'll let you know how it performs.

[angelavdavis]

Sorry to miss this one and not post sooner.  I carried out a test tube style test on my new plot - it didn't reveal any surprises - the soil lacks everything and is middle of the road ph-wise!  I show the pics on my diary thread and post relating to this:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=92949.msg1105566#msg1105566

[cadalot]

angelavdavis - Interesting to see real photographs of these things in use & typical results

Allot2Learn - Thank for the link - After looking at angelavdavis posts of these kits in use looks like your ebay find is worth buying just to try it out so I did - we can compaire results 

[pdblake]

Thanks for the link too. I've been looking for one of these for a while now.