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Decided to do a test. Sending a front lawn sample to 2 different sources. One place is free (CT Agricultural Station), the other charges $15 (UConn Lab). Im curious if there will be a difference. Sample taken from same spot.
I got back results from UConn. Took 7 days.
They didn't do Nitrogen
Looks like I need more Phosphorus and Potassium.
My Iron is low compared to that range they have
They don't recommend Lime (which I did twice last year, usually do it once)
They recommend 10lbs of 10-20-20 per 1000sq ft
I'm curious how this data compares to the other lab now.
I was just going to ask you about this! Last night I was looking at the testing available in Windsor. With my property being farmland 100 years ago (did they use chemicals then?) and now being under flight paths I thought I'd get it tested. Last year I did a raised bed for the strawberries that never took and am thinking about moving and expanding it. We have great farming soil! But I'm worried about lead in it and it doesn't look like they test for that.
They didn't do Nitrogen
Looks like I need more Phosphorus and Potassium.
My Iron is low compared to that range they have
They don't recommend Lime (which I did twice last year, usually do it once)
They recommend 10lbs of 10-20-20 per 1000sq ft
I'm curious how this data compares to the other lab now.
Thanks for sharing. I looked up 10-20-20 fertilizer and found one website that encourages using it the vegetable garden!
Looking forward to seeing the results of the other test. Now I want to do mine.
Ok...here we go... The other lab (free one) sent the results by mail, not a PDF
So lets compare.. The sample sent to the 2 different labs was from the "front lawn"
I'll let you come to conclusions... Same exact soil samples sent from the 3 spots I took and mixed into the bucket.
Ph:
CT Ag Station: 7.2
UCONN: 6.8
Nitrogen:
CT Ag Station: Low 12ppm
UCONN: Not Tested
Phosphorus:
CT Ag Station: Very High >100ppm
UCONN: Below Optimum
Potassium:
CT Ag Station: Very Low 30ppm
UCONN: Below Optimum
Calcium:
CT Ag Station: High 1600ppm
UCONN: Below Optimum
Magnesium:
CT Ag Station: High 125ppm
UCONN: Above Optimum
Iron, Copper, Lead, Boron, Zinc, Sulfur only tested with UCONN lab ($15)
So far I like the soil tests that I bought and sent in, they seem more detailed BUT the free one has what I need to know whats going on. Then again... I don't know how the ones I send in like Soil Savy how it compares to these labs.
Now.. Lets talk about that Garden bed sample I sent in where my Veggies are going...
INTERESTING I got Sandy Loam!! I feel blessed now after I had Clay for so many years. Ammending it has helped through the years!
Organic Matter.. Medium. Happy about that
pH: 7.9 … I need to back off on the Lime there
Nitrogen: Low 12ppm
Phosphorus: Excessive! >150ppm
Potassium: Very High >250ppm
Calcium: Very high >1600ppm
Magnesium: High 125ppm
Wonder why they recommend a 10-10-10 fert if my P & K are very high.
I should find a fert with a 20-0-0 or something since I got too much P & K happening.
Now that is a hot tub. I enjoyed it while on LI but decided it was not worth it to move it here. Too much of a hassle to put one in here due to the layout of my property. Favorite time of year in the winter when the snow was falling. Grabbed the thick Terry robe - getting in was a little chilly but you learned to get in fast. I do miss it.
Now that is a hot tub. I enjoyed it while on LI but decided it was not worth it to move it here. Too much of a hassle to put one in here due to the layout of my property. Favorite time of year in the winter when the snow was falling. Grabbed the thick Terry robe - getting in was a little chilly but you learned to get in fast. I do miss it.
I'm kinda scared leaving the water in there over winter. I feel like the thing would crack the pipes underneath so I drain it out. I haven't even tried it yet, just got it delivered in the fall.
A lot of people here run their hot tubs in the winter. In fact it's sorta a religion for some, including my co-worker. When it's below zero they crank it up and sit in the tub and get drunk. Not me, no way..
Interesting reports. When my wife receives her report, she sends a copy to the extension agent and they have a chat about the findings, and then the agent made the recommendations on amendments and what to plant where (since we have 5 defined beds). That has worked out tremendously well. When I expanded the garden from 3 beds to 5, the new section was primarily comprised of very old soil and chicken manure from my neighbor. It was still a little 'hot' so the recommendation was green beans, brassicas, cabbage etc.. Over time those plants will moderate the soil. So far so good. We'll do another soil sample next spring.
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