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Post by wally on May 6, 2015 8:45:59 GMT
We have one and it does show my beds are in the proper range. I cant tell you if the readings are correct as I have not confirmed them with a soil test. My garden seems to be productive.
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Post by Cabin Fever on May 6, 2015 13:33:52 GMT
Soil laboratories use pH meters to test soil pH. I did thousands of soil pH measurements when I was a student.
To get an accurate measurement, you must first calibrate the meter with two pH buffer solutions. The meter must be recalibrated every time you use it (assuming it will sit for days to weeks between uses).
To measure soil pH, mix soil and distilled water at a 1:1 ratio (by weight) for 30 minutes. You can mix every 5 minutes during that 30 minute period. Then, let the suspension settle for about an hour. Lower your pH probe just into the top watery part of the settled mixture to take your reading.
If you do not want to go thru the hastle and expense of using a meter, litmus paper strips will give acceptable results using the same method I described above. Just dip the strip into the surface of the settled suspenion of soil/water.
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Post by oxankle on May 10, 2015 0:34:01 GMT
You can get a pretty good general idea of the acidity or alkalinity of your soil just by inserting the commercial probes into the ground. They come with instructions; follow them.
I've checked mine against ground I knew to be acid and soil amended with lime, and the readings corresponded.
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