From

Location

Message

Date Posted

How good are the soil testers(the probe style with meter) we are locally out of home soil test kits and i don't want to deal with our local company to do it. Just curious if anybody has ever used one of these and what were the results?

2/26/2010 10:10:23 PM

Sacramento, Ca

I have one, in my opinion it's crap compared to a real soil test.

2/26/2010 10:20:01 PM

thats what i wanted to know i appreciate the response i am just going to have to try and deal with what i have to work with this year.

2/26/2010 10:23:47 PM

Sacramento, Ca

Send a soil sample here. Choose the graphical test for $33.00. You can't go wrong.

http://www.al-labs-west.com/sections/anservices

2/26/2010 11:42:03 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

Those soil testers are total crap not worth the price of a real lab tested soil test....U mass does a great one.

2/27/2010 11:39:04 PM

Georgetown, Ontario

I have a $165 probe style pH meter I used in our lawn care business. It read a pH of 5.8 in my garden soil last year. When I sent in a sample for lab testing is was actually 7.6 so I would expect a cheaper one to be even crappier, if possible.

2/28/2010 8:04:27 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

I used one of those meters and it gave me false hope as to where my soil was at. Not to mention you don't much more then a ph reading with those meters. As a pumpkin grower we want the best and the best would be to throw that crappy meter in the trash and invest in a good soil test taken from good samples in your patch.

2/28/2010 12:07:56 PM

Midwest

Pirate I see you live in Illinois. Try AgriEnergy.net - Lab Services - Soil Tests. They use Midwest Laboratories and they do a decent job.

3/9/2010 1:15:12 PM

Glosta

If cost is an issue Umass will do a complete soil test with OM% for $13. with salts it is $18. Decent test for the money. A&L labs west does a more comprehensive test and is $33. Shop around and get it done by a lab, you won't regret it.

3/9/2010 8:34:56 PM