Gardening and Landscaping Stack Exchange
Gardening and Landscaping Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [soil-test]

Tests for various soil characteristics including nutritional and contaminant content.

Soils can be tested for a wide range of characteristics. These can be used to help diagnose problems (eg. due to a mineral deficiency), guarantee safe crops (eg. no heavy metal contaminants in the soil), or provide pointers as to the best kind of plants to grow (eg. according to acidity).

Many soil test kits are available from nurseries and big box garden stores. Specialist tests and services are also available.

Some of the tests that might be considered:

  • Major nutrients (NPK) - fix with fertilizer
  • Minor and secondary nutrients (Ca,Mg, Fe, Cu, etc)
  • Acidity (pH) - different plants prefer different acidities
  • Contamination (from air, ground water, industry, gas stations, dry cleaning, etc)
  • General composition (humus,sand,mud,clay)

Use this tag for all questions about soil tests and testing.

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Soil sample composition over time

I tested my garden soil (NPK for guidance in applying fertilizers) but now I'm questioning my results. I collected the soil as per the instructions and left it to dry in a bucket. Once dry, I left it for several months in a garage, exposed to open…
nuggethead
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Cucumber leaves yellowing and most cucumbers have been colorless - is this P or K deficiency?

After moving to a new place we started a garden in what has been lawn for a lot of years. Our cucumbers grew vigorously at first and have been producing nicely, but the cucumbers started out only half-green / half-light yellow, now they are all…
cr0
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How to increase nitrogen and potassium at the same time?

I had my vegetable garden soil tested by a local university extension. (If it matters, I'm in the northeast US, zone 5.) The results indicated that the soil was deficient in nitrogen and potassium. Potassium was 78 ppm but the suggested level was…
nuggethead
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Placement of soil sensors

I am looking into soil sensors to connect to an arduino project I am doing. This is just for me playing around and trying to optimize my garden as much as possible with tech So far the sensors seem to be working great and I am making cool charts.…
user77533
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Soil TestResults show low P and high PH, vegetables are already in, what should I do? Help!

I filled 220sq feet of raised beds earlier this spring with 10inches of soil comprised of 5yds organic compost and 2 yds premium screen top soil (about 50/50 by mass). The beds are open on the bottom. I amended this mix with the recommend dose of…
AJackson
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Need help interpreting my soil test results and fertilizer recommendations

The guy from the lab told me to use 13-13-13 fertilizer. my Lawn is 4000 sq feet, 1 (8 pounds/1000 sq ft) in April and 1 in May end. And then 1 each in September and October end. Also, use liquid ironite. Other stores have different recommendations…
Lucky
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Soil Specifications — C:N Ratio Notation

I'm compiling some critical parameters for soil specifications for my wife, and unfortunately I come from a different industry (food safety, post-gate). I'm trying to read a set of lab analysis results for C:N Ratio and I cannot understand for the…
Arctiic
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how to obtain information on fertilizer amount per volume

Very simple question but hour long search with no answer. Concentration of fertilizer is relation ship of amount of fertilizer (either mass or molar) with volume, NOT with area, yet all fertilizers tell you how much fertilizer to apply per area. I…
atapaka
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Distilled water (pH 5.5 due to dissolved CO2) recommended for soil test - Do I need to adjust reading?

All available sources recommend using distilled water for performing a soil pH test. However, distilled water by itself is anywhere between pH 5.5 and 6.5 due to dissolved CO2 (HCO3- ions). In my case, the distilled water is pH 5.5 according to my…
Jim Garrison
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Most accurate home pH test?

What test mechanism (e.g. strips, probes, etc..) that can be purchased online for self testing soil pH is the most accurate? Any recommendations on specific products/brands?
Paul W
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Mamey seedling showing deficiencies that I couldn't fix

I already lost one seedling in the same manner, leaves get yellow spots then the edges shrivel and the whole leaf dies and falls. My soil test shows issues with micros obviously, I get very bright sun every day and the temps are hovering around 98…
ammoun
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Can there be a calcium deficiency despite plenty of calcium in the soil test

What else should I be looking for in a soil test that shows plenty of calcium when some plants do show Ca deficiency?
ammoun
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Interpreting Soil Content Survey Results

We moved into our new-build property in November 2018, and have been beset with garden (more specifically, lawn) issues since the start. After badgering and persisting, our developer agreed to undertake a soil survey. They have just come back with…
Craig Watson
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UK equivalent of US University Soil "Extension" Offices

I recently found out that there is a (state?-)tax-funded community resource in the US associated with Land-Grant State Universities called "Extension Offices". They offer soil testing kits, personalised advice and even officers who can help you…
Brondahl
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Testing for nitrogen after applying blood meal?

In preparation for refreshing a garden box for a winter season, I tested for nutrients and found it was very low in nitrogen. I added more soil and amendment (for other reasons -- neither has many nutrients) as well as blood meal (to add nitrogen).…
Dave Pacheco
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