What are people using to test soil Ph

[andybk]

What are people using to test soil Ph ? got a few fields to do , we had a proper old kit decades ago in a wooden case with all the sterile water etc , now sadly gone, is there anything on market these days , or anything electronic ?

 

[neilo]

What are people using to test soil Ph ? got a few fields to do , we had a proper old kit decades ago in a wooden case with all the sterile water etc , now sadly gone, is there anything on market these days , or anything electronic ?

@Mounty sells a kit (in a wooden box too iirc), but sending samples off to a lab is likely to be the cheapest option for a small number of samples, every now and again. Unless your local lime man tests of course.

 

[Tompkins]

Sent you a PM.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Can the experts give their opinion on how much 1 ton of good ground limestone will raise PH .I've always worked on 0.5 , is that being to optamistic

On this type of soil

 

[Bury the Trash]

Lightweight Soil pH Testing Kit | Keith Mount Liming

The lightweight testing kit is perfect for less frequent in field soil pH testing. Supplied with 10 short test tubes, soil indicator and barium sulphate.

www.mountliming.co.uk

 

[upnortheast]

Can the experts give their opinion on how much 1 ton of good ground limestone will raise PH .I've always worked on 0.5 , is that being to optamistic

On this type of soil

Not an expert but generally expect circa +1 from 2 tonne / acre

 

[Bury the Trash]

there used to be a 'Westminster' proper set on ebay for bit less than a £100 iirc, don't see it these days tho.just garden type ones.
thats where i got my last one.

 

[clemmo]

Can the experts give their opinion on how much 1 ton of good ground limestone will raise PH .I've always worked on 0.5 , is that being to optamistic

On this type of soil

depends where your starting from!

 

[Highland Mule]

depends where your starting from!

Absolutely ! A lot of people forget that pH is a (negative power, base ten) log scale, so getting from 5 to 6 is totally different than from 6 to 7.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Absolutely ! A lot of people forget that pH is a (negative power, base ten) log scale, so getting from 5 to 6 is totally different than from 6 to 7.

Rate for both ?

 

[Highland Mule]

Rate for both ?

 

[Derrick Hughes]

That was two ton

 

[Mounty]

@Mounty sells a kit (in a wooden box too iirc), but sending samples off to a lab is likely to be the cheapest option for a small number of samples, every now and again. Unless your local lime man tests of course.

Only just picked up on this. Yes we do replica kits of the original BDH kits @andybk refers to as well as the lightweight kit that @Bury the Trash mentioned. We also pH test soil for people if there isn't enough to justify buying a test kit. Just post samples to us for a small charge.
All available here: pH testing kits or posted samples

 

[Mounty]

Absolutely ! A lot of people forget that pH is a (negative power, base ten) log scale, so getting from 5 to 6 is totally different than from 6 to 7.

Spot on...........
a 6.0 is 10 times more acidic than a 7.0
a 5.0 is 100 times more acidic than a 7.0
a 4.0 is 1000 times more acidic than a 7.0
Needs to be factored in.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Do you find many pH samples down in the 4. something @Mounty ?

Had a few pink tinges the other day on a block of permanent grass. He said he would think about putting some lime on……. would 1.5t per acre put it right?

 

[Mounty]

Do you find many pH samples down in the 4. something @Mounty ?

Had a few pink tinges the other day on a block of permanent grass. He said he would think about putting some lime on……. would 1.5t per acre put it right?

I don't have many if I'm honest, but I do find them from time to time. I am finding a few more samples of late that are 5.0 verging on high 4's which I think were nearer 5.5 previously.

If it is sub pH 5.0, I don't think 1.5t/ac would put it right, but it will send it in the right direction.

 

[N.Yorks.]

You should be sampling the soils for P, K and Mg now and most labs will analyse pH too. If you're doing the soil testing as we're all meant to now then you'll get pH.

Obviously if you are wanting to get very detailed about it then there may be advantages in being able to sample smaller areas yourself, but to be honest sending soil to the lab is so easy quick and cheap why would you bother doing much else?

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Was reading yesterday that it takes up to 3 years for lime to fully work if spread on top , best way is to fully mix it in when cultivating, and should never be ploughed under soon after spreading , also said that good fine ground limestone spread at 1.2 tons is as good as course stuff spread at 2 ton

 

[Mounty]

You should be sampling the soils for P, K and Mg now and most labs will analyse pH too. If you're doing the soil testing as we're all meant to now then you'll get pH.

Obviously if you are wanting to get very detailed about it then there may be advantages in being able to sample smaller areas yourself, but to be honest sending soil to the lab is so easy quick and cheap why would you bother doing much else?

Because unfortunately, the laboratory preparation method used for pH analysis can give artificially high readings. The example attached was taken from a field where approx 8ha is between pH 5.7-6.2. That is why you would bother!

 

[N.Yorks.]

Because unfortunately, the laboratory preparation method used for pH analysis can give artificially high readings. The example attached was taken from a field where approx 8ha is between pH 5.7-6.2. That is why you would bother!

So how do you know the lab with all their accredited systems, maintained and calibrated equipment is wrong in comparison to someone with a home test kit? Who is actually correct? Think i'll take my chances with the lab thanks......