If you browse through very many of the previous discussions here on soil testing and correcting (check out the Soil Forum too for even more discussions) you'll find that most don't consider those store bough test kits to be worth much - even the money they cost. They tend to test just about anything at a pH of 7, always show low nitrogen or no nitrogen and who knows how much P and K. Making adjustments based on those tests usually just cause more problems. So doing nothing other than just feeding individual plants would be best in this case.

Honestly, a professional soil test available for just a couple of dollars more from your local country Ag extension office is best. Not only will it be far more accurate but will also give you specific numbers to work with and details on what and how much to add to correct anything lacking.

But if you don't want to go that route then the safest and most helpful addition would be a good amount of a high quality compost. Most soils are adequate for P and K. Some bloodmeal won't hurt as long as you don't overdo it - it can easily burn plants - and it will more quickly address any lacking N.

Hope this helps.

Dave

I question how well those test kits from Lowes work myself. I bought one last year and the results I obtained from the test was quite different from the tests I received from an actual professional soil testing company.

As for fertilizers, I would add compost if at all possible. While probably too late for this, using compost tea to water your plants will add in the good nutrients the plants need. I have a 55-gallon drum with a spigot at the bottom and the top cut off. I've then thrown in a lot of leaves and other plant materials and filled it with rain water. Then I can just turn the spigot to get liquid fertilizer.

Here is a link that might be useful: BsnTech Gardening Blog

Thanks for the replies. Believe it or not, I did actually do a search before I posted the question. I find the search engine here to be incredibly inaccurate, I didn't get any pertinent results from the search, especially considering there is a forum specifically for soil. Also, thanks for letting me know there was a soil forum, I didn't realize that.

I think I will try to return the test kit to Lowes, seems like a huge rip-off if it is that inaccurate. Now if I can find the receipt, lol.

I will call the local ag. extension office and see if they can do soil tests and how long it will take. I actually have 2 raised beds and only tested one, so I may need to send 2 samples.

Tina

This link is to the FAQ here on Soil Testing - it covers all the basics. As to the search engine, it's a boolean-based search engine so it all depends on the terms you use and their order which results you will get and which it cuts out.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Soil test kits

talonstorm - Yeah, the search here isn't very good. But you can use google's advanced search to search only gardenweb.com. Or I usually just type in my search terms, and include the site name, like "gardenweb", using the regular google search. The good thing about google is you don't have to get everything exact, since it will find similar stuff. And the bad thing about google is you don't have to get everything exact, since it still finds similar stuff even if you don't want it to. There's a way to filter the inexact stuff, but it takes some experimenting. But it usually works for me for gardenweb searches.

I'm planning to use bsntech's approach for my tomatoes, and make some weed teas, and possibly some manure teas. But I still need to figure out how to get a good balance of nutrients, similar to what your asking.