From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Coventry R.I.

when , and how many times should you test your soil

12/16/2005 12:16:34 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Frank,

It depends on the age of the patch & one's timing.

Once before breaking ground. Again after amendments have had at least 8-10 weeks to "work".

Again whenever problems are noted especially in conjunction with tissue analysis.

A new grower would do well to test twice a year for a while so thay might learn the cause & effect aspect of growing AGs & how the endeavor affects their own soil type.

Freaks like me sometimes test several times in-season too but access to a good lab at a fair price makes this rediculous for most growers.

After a while most folks can get by with a soil test every 2-3 years.

12/16/2005 1:09:50 PM

Norton, MA

Go to http://www.umass.edu/plsoils/soiltest/
I've used them for a few years. They are fast and reliable. The 13$ one is fine for most of us. AleX Noel.

12/16/2005 4:20:30 PM

ENGLAND

For those reading this thread, and who are in Canada, i can certainly recomend A&L Canada Laboratory in London Ontario. I have just had my soil analysed by them and i received good service and Ian McLachlin, the Agronomy and Director of Food Safety, was very informative and welcoming to discussion when i called him yesterday. If you are looking at joining a Growers Club/Group the GVGO Membership includes a 10% discount at A&L Canada Lab's to those needing a Soil Analyses.

Regards
Mike

12/17/2005 3:49:21 AM

Mt Vernon Ky

hi there i have been trying to grow a great one for 3 years now and i got a dumb ? which test should i use you said the 13.00 would work for the most of us i have put a lot of cow pooh on my patch this fall and turn it in and i have a cover crop growing right now should i do a soil test now or want till spring thanks vic in ky

12/17/2005 8:27:34 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Frank,

I missed the "where" part of your thread. If the budget permits, the two best labs in the world or CLC & M.D. Harris. They use the most advanced & accurate extraction process ever developed.

I was using CLC through my former employer & am in the process of setting up a direct bill deal for the CT GS&PGA.

For now I would contact the SNEGPA's Dick or Ron Wallace & find out who the RI guys are using. Judging from the RI weights this year the lab they use sure isn't steering them wrong.

URI maybe?

12/17/2005 9:23:19 AM

Coventry R.I.

thanks for all the info, tremor hi i am in the snegpa club, i have talk with steve sperry, he said he test 3 times year. they go with the umass/edu soil test. thanks for the help, first time grower frank

12/22/2005 11:57:09 AM