Soil mixtures

[Chuck]

Which one of the black cow or just my plain normal soil

You would have a much more comprehensive answer if you did both separately and again after they are all mixed together.

 

[Tommy89]

Ok I'll try and buy a kit, do a test, and get the results. Will you be able to help me from there please?

 

[Tommy89]

Any kits you recommend? It should test pH and nutrients right. As well as be able to do tes many times?

 

[Chuck]

Any kits you recommend? It should test pH and nutrients right. As well as be able to do tes many times?

A soil test and a Ph test are two different things. You have to send off soil samples to a soil testing business to get available nutrient data. The Ph test is sort of like a litmus test. You can do it many times. I will try to help you all I can.

 

[Tommy89]

Ok thanks. Should I do a soil nutrient test or a pH test

 

[Chuck]

Ok thanks. Should I do a soil nutrient test or a pH test

Ph test now and MAYBE a soil test later. In container gardening soil fertility is much easier to achieve. What you NEED to know is whether your growing medium is acidic or alkaline and how much it is, either way. It doesn't have to be perfect, just close.

 

[Tommy89]

Ok I googled pH test for soil and there is a method involving distilled water at home. Is that okay? If not, what do you recommend?

 

[Chuck]

Ok I googled pH test for soil and there is a method involving distilled water at home. Is that okay? If not, what do you recommend?

That will work, somewhat. It shows whether acidic or alkaline but not how much. Walmart has a little test kit for about $8 online that will give you a much better result. It has 100 test strips and will be close enough for your purposes.

 

[Tommy89]

By any chance would pH strips for pools work, I already have those? And if not, could you please post the Walmart link for the one you mentioned, can't seem to find one that is for soil as well as has 100 strips.

 

[Chuck]

By any chance would pH strips for pools work, I already have those? And if not, could you please post the Walmart link for the one you mentioned, can't seem to find one that is for soil as well as has 100 strips.

Robot or human?

There are all kinds online. Just google soil Ph test kits.

 

[Tommy89]

Ok, I have one at my house that is used for pool testing, so I'll go with that one, but it tests liquids, how would I test the pH of soil

 

[Chuck]

Ok, I have one at my house that is used for pool testing, so I'll go with that one, but it tests liquids, how would I test the pH of soil

I haven't used one in years but you make a soil solution. I don't know if pool test kits will work with soil or not. I kinda doubt it but I may be wrong.

 

[Tommy89]

I haven't used one in years but you make a soil solution. I don't know if pool test kits will work with soil or not. I kinda doubt it but I may be wrong.

Okay, I have two different pH strips so I'll use both for better results. I looked online on how to do a soil test, and there is no clear proportion of soil, distilled water, as well as vinegar. How much should I use of each, and how long should I let it settle for after mixing the three. Also, since I am growing in pots, I guess the depth of the soil in pots doesn't matter much for a pH test right?

 

[Chuck]

Okay, I have two different pH strips so I'll use both for better results. I looked online on how to do a soil test, and there is no clear proportion of soil, distilled water, as well as vinegar. How much should I use of each, and how long should I let it settle for after mixing the three. Also, since I am growing in pots, I guess the depth of the soil in pots doesn't matter much for a pH test right?

If you don't find what you are looking for online look at more sites. I found this in about 10 seconds

How Can I Test My Soil pH Without a Kit? | PreparednessMama

Want to test your soil pH? You can do it without a special kit! Follow this guide to find out about the most common and efficient DIY methods.

preparednessmama.com

Just go get a cheap Ph test kit. It will have directions. I help folks with gardening problems. I don't do online work for them.

 

[headfullofbees]

Thanks for the info. Are there any that are premixed? If so, any specific ones to avoid other than the ones that don’t guarantee they don’t contain nematodes?

Hydrogen Peroxide is organic & is your friend.