From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Arcola, IL, USA

I had two soil test done to my garden two years ago. At that time my PH level on my tests were 6.7 and 6.8.... I took the soil sample in early spring. This year I took the sample in the middle of winter and sent the soil to a different place than i did the first time. These people are telling me that my soil Ph is 8.0...... I dont understand how that can be... Generally soil PH goes lower over time. I have not added anything to the soil except one year I put 25 bales of straw on it for mulch and later tilled it in come fall. Does anyone have any ideas. Some older farmer told me he thought that PH levels in soil can differ depending on the time of the year it was taken. I might have had a bad test result. I have purchased over the counter testers where you mix water with a pill and and dirt. I have a device that you stab in the ground and check. They all seem to say around 6.8...... HMMMMMM

1/21/2006 9:00:17 PM

Arcola, IL, USA

by the way, my soil test results were

PH 8.0
P lb/a 200
K lb/a 472
OM % 2.5
bph 7.5
Ca lb/a 4232
Mg lb/a 776
CEC Meq/100g 14.3
K % 3.6
Mg % 22.6
H Meq/100g = 0.0
Ca % 73.8
Na % 63.2
S04-S lb/a 17.0
Zn lb/a 2.6
Mn lb/a 38.9
Fe lb/a 106.0
Cu lb/a 1.8
B lb/a 1.9
Sol Salts mmhos/cm 0.1

1/21/2006 9:19:17 PM

SF Bay Area, California

Ph readings can fluctuate some through out the season, but it sounds to me that you got a bad reading.

1/21/2006 9:44:49 PM

Arcola, IL, USA

Had The sample retested for Ph level. This time they said it was 7.4.... That was from the same soil they tested before... I dont know but i'm thinking about getting another opinion from somewhere else. Does anyone know if watering with city water will raise Ph level in soil...

1/24/2006 12:35:11 AM

ENGLAND

What Lab did the Soil Analyses for you and what method of test did they use ? I hope Steve Jepson (Tremor) comes in on this as i am looking at having my Soil re Analysed in the Spring and cannot remember the name of the type of Soil Analyses that is more expencive but much more accurate than most lab's methods.

Regards
Mike

1/24/2006 3:49:27 AM

Arcola, IL, USA

The lab that done the test was ASM in Champaign Illinois. I dont know what you mean by what method they used? I think I am going to send another sample to someone else though for retesting. I hope someone has a reply about where is a good place and what my results look like.

1/25/2006 7:35:21 AM

Udine, Italy

Which is the pH measurement system used? pH in water is about 1 point higher than pH in KCl. Did you add something like wood ash in your patch? Usually pH test is cheap, I suggest to repeat before to start pH correction.
Paolo

1/25/2006 8:36:06 AM

Piqua,Ohio

We must remember that soil test are different in the fall than in the spring if you test in the fall you should always test in the fall. if you test in the spring then you should always test in the spring. freezing and thawing affects readings of available nutrients I believe the fall test are the most accurate. soil moisture at time of testing will also affect the results. we must remember these are only guide lines also. the test results will only be as good as the sample taken. most labs are calibrtated for a certian depth of sample most are 8 inches if you take a core deeper or shallower than that it will really skew your results. samples need to taken properly with some sort of probe. a shovel is not the best way. labs do make mistakes also, is rare but not uncommon as your retest shows. there are many reputable labs and some fly by nights beware. straw will take alot of N from your soil to break it down which could change your ph temporarly then will release it back into the soil and things should go back to normal. I use A&L great lakes laboratories,inc 3505 Conestoga drive Ft Wayne In 46808 ph 260 483 4759 call them they can answer your questions and give very helpful advise

1/25/2006 10:21:58 AM

Carrollton, Ga.

Where can you buy a soil test probe or corer?
Doug

Jn3:16

1/25/2006 12:28:30 PM

Norton, MA

I use UMASS, www.umass.edu. AleX Noel.

1/25/2006 6:19:12 PM

Walkerton Ont

i have high ph 8.1 2 years ago last year it was 7.4. Even with the high Ph levels, i still can grow large pumpkins in the 900 range but should be more lol.

1/25/2006 9:59:56 PM

Maine

Pumpkin Mike!!!! long time no see-hope all is well

Devan

3/19/2007 3:14:06 PM