Are you catching the wasted fertilizer as water underneath the pots or something like that?

You could send the "runoff" to a local extension, lab or university for testing. I assume any lab that can test soil samples for levels of NPK can also test water for the same thing. There would probably a small fee.

This experiment sounds interesting. Could you describe it in more detail?

Andrew, that does indeed sound like an interesting experiment.

I'll bet that if you were to post this on the soil, compost and mulch forum you would get a greater response.

And keep us informed of your progress, will you?

Here is a link that might be useful: Soil, compost & mulch

Hi Andrew, I think you're going to have problems being scientific with your project since you've already determined in your mind that pollution will occur. Have you determined the NPK needs of pumpkin and when they should be applied? Pumpkins in pots will not grow to a size that will utilize nutrients as a field grown plant would. I think it's a very interesting project theme you've picked buy remember in order to perform a science project you have to be scientific. I'd go rethink exactly what it is you want to do and then sharpen your focus. Good Luck. Tom

You might contact Al (Tapla) about this. He regularly frequents the container gardening forum. Only reason I bring him up is that I could swear I read something from him a while back about this. I could be mistaken, but maybe you could send him an email (or just post in the cont. forum).

The biggest challenge would be inexpensively determining the nutrients in the run off and that's what I think he may know how to do.

Hi, guys ,
Now I'll explain this in more detail. My goals are to have the best crop, have the least money spent and cause the least pollution. The crops are corn and pumpkins. I will be giving the pumpkins 4 different types of fertilizer, Nitrogen(A blood meal-12-0-0), Phosphorus(bone meal-5-6-0, Potassium(a palm fertilizer-6-5-12), and miracle grow. I have made the ratios into percents and are giving the pumpkins different levels of fertilizer.

I am also trying to find which one pollutes the least so IÂm putting pumpkins in smaller pots with three different soils and the four fertilizers. I will collect the water from the drainage.

I need to know how to test this water for the fertilizer/pollution. Do I need to do a Ph test and how or go to a lab or maybe just something else.

Thank a lot

Andrew

ph will only test the ph. It won't give you the NPK. I don't know of a home NPK test, but there might be some that others know of.

I have heard that home tests for ph are unreliable, so maybe an NPK one would be as well.

For best results, I would suggest you have it done by a lab.

What area are you in? Maybe someone can suggest a good and cheap lab in your area.

Here's a home PH & NPK test kit

Here is a link that might be useful: test kit

What exactly are you trying to prove again?

As for the experiment I might be able to help you out. I do this for a living, or as a career I should say. I test water, soil, and other things for non-natural pollutants. I help keep Kentucky's waterways, wetlands, and grounds clean. I work a lot with run off issues as well as non- natural fertilizers that have saturated soils, and waterways.

This is a question better asked in the Soil Compost Mulch Forum.

Here is a link that might be useful: Soil Compost Mulch Forum

You are lucky, andrewtheplanter. You found luckyinkentucky. If he/she can't help you, nobody can.

Jim