I am pleased to offer a basic soil analysis service to gardeners who would like to learn more about their soil conditions, but are not necessarily interested in paying hundreds of dollars for results accurate to seven-decimal-places.
Measurements of physical soil structure, nutrient levels, and pH can be useful in both the management of soil in established gardens, and in the creation of new planting areas. Knowledge of a site's soil conditions can remove much of the guesswork from the the selection and application of soil ammendments.
Soil Structure is tested by agitating a soil sample in a measure of water, and allowing the soil particles to settle into strata, ordered by size. These strata are measured, and their ratios are used to determine soil type. A knowledge of soil type, in conjunction with a pH measurement, can be used to determine how much lime is necessary to raise the soil's pH into the desired range. Soil type can also be used in determining suitable crops for a site, drainage characteristics, and levels of soil ammendment necessary to build and maintain appropriate fertility levels.
pH tests are performed by dissolving a measure of soil in water, then testing the water with an electronic pH probe (I use a Hanna HI98128). Knowledge of a soil's pH can be used to select suitable crops for a site, and is also implicated in calculating lime requirements for pH buffering (see above).
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potash levels are tested by mixing a measure of soil with water, then mixing the water with a reagent, allowing the solids to settle, and testing the result against a colour chart. While plants make use of more than three nutrients, these three are used in the largest quantities, and thier presence in adequate amounts generally indicates a soil that is well balanced overall.
I use two sets of prices for my soil analysis services: One set of prices applies to samples that are mailed to me (or otherwise dropped in my mailbox), and another set of prices applies to samples I take myself, on your property. All analysis is done off-site, and results are mailed, faxed, or e-mailed within three days.
Physical Soil Structure: $10 for drop-off, and $25 for on-site sampling
pH: $15 for drop-off, and $30 for on-site sampling
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potash (all three): $20 for drop-off, and $35 for on-site sampling
Combination of all tests: $40 for drop-off, and $90 for on-site sampling
Instructions regarding proper soil-sampling technques will be provided upon request. It requires no special equipment, and is not particularily difficult.
