Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Ontario Trophy Bucks forum. Enjoy your visit.

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
DIY pH Testing; Thoughts?
Topic Started: Apr 18 2013, 01:13 PM (709 Views)
Posted Image Tim H
Member Avatar


I was talking to a friend of mine about soil testing for food plots. She's done a lot of soil analysis for her degree, and when I explained to her the goals of testing the soil she suggested I simply pick up a pH meter and test the soil myself.
Granted, this is a simple test, that won't provide me with a lot of info on the make-up of the soil that a properly done lab test will, but it will give me the pH, which is what I'm most concerned with, and I can go from there.
A quick search on the ol' interwebz has turned up a number of results for handheld pH meters, one from Lowe's is discontinued and has terrible reviews. A company called Cole Palmer has quite a variety of pH testing kits, but they are fairly pricey.

http://www.coleparmer.ca/Category/pH_Ion_Pocket_Testers/7446

One item that I did find that looks pretty interesting is this soil pH meter from Lee Valley.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.as...2,42578&p=70504

My question is; Does anyone here have experience with these type of units? Are they fairly reliable? What kind of margin of error can I expect in the readings? Any input is appreciated, cheers.

Tim
"Only accurate rifles are interesting." - Col. Townsend Whelan
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Posted Image swampdogger
Member Avatar


You can pick up soil test kit's at HomeDepot real cheap.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Posted Image Tim H
Member Avatar


I've seen soil test kits, I imagine they're around the same idea as the tester, just give you your ph value. What attracts me to the Lee Valley tester is that it's re-usable, and the probe appears to be half decent quality. I'm a little leery about the price, I don't think you can get anything of quality for $20....... So my original question stands; has anyone used hand-held soil testers/test kits before? I'd love to hear a field report.

Tim
"Only accurate rifles are interesting." - Col. Townsend Whelan
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Posted Image warningshot
Advanced Hunter
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
never used one i got a ph kit for my self and tested the ph and found it to be what is was for the general area ...... as for a soil sample...not sure where your getting it done but it may tell u alot more than the ph of the soil...may tell u what is missing ie nitrogen etc..depending on what your planning on growing ....if all u want to know is the ph then giver a shot ...or do a comparison for us plotters :wink:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Posted Image baydog
Member Avatar


I used one. Seem to be pretty accurate and gave me a good idea of what plants would thrive and what ones wouldn't in my area.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · The Plotters Forum <Habitat Improvement> · Next Topic »
Add Reply