You need to get an EC meter. They're pretty common anywhere you can by supplies for hydroponics. Then to get a useful number that you can compare with established standards for salinity levels in soil, you have to make a saturated paste from your soil sample and let it sit for a minimum of eight hours. Then you filter the water out of the soil and test the EC of the water. That's usually done by putting the soil in a funnel with filter paper and sucking the water out with a vacuum. If you just stuck the EC meter in the ground or something, the number you would get would be junk.

Which salt are you going to test for, Sodium Chloride, or one of the other Sodiums.
Mushrooms are simply a sign that there is a lot of fungi active, and fungi are one of the microscopic animals that help digest the organic matter we would be buried in if they were not at work. Mushrooms are not the problem many people thing they are in the soil, although they can be problematic if the wrong ones are eaten.

There is a metric boat load of salts that don't include sodium. Without a lab, the most valuable number to determine potential salt hazard is EC in extract (ECe). Unless, of course, our good friend has an inductively coupled plasma machine or something comparable out in the shed.

"metric boat load" Don't know what amount this is but it sounds like a lot!

"inductively coupled plasma machine" Don't know what this is but it sounds like I'd like to have one! Walmart have them?

Lloyd

My question would be why are you concerned about salt levels? What are you putting into your compost that you think contains high salt levels or would result in the same after the composting process and how has this impacted any growing issues?

Typically, unless you are utilizing a large percentage of manures or biosolids in the compost, soluble salts are not an issue. Soil testing labs are located throughout the country, many available through the county extension system, and most any will test compost as well - soluble salts (actually EC or electrical conductivity) are an issue most test for if requested (may be a small additional fee). Personally, I'd be more inclined to have my compost or soil tested by a professional lab for a very modest fee rather than go to the expense of purchasing an expensive piece of professional equipment that is seldom used and may or may not provide accurate results to the laymen.

And then there is always the option of doing a bioassay. Pretty darn easy and will provide quite accurate results - the plants either grow and thrive or they don't :-))

Thanks for all the suggestions :)
I didn't know the EC metre was expensive, phew! Thanks for warning me.

It appears to be Shaggy Cap mushrooms but I dare not eat them since they resemble some of the more...toxic stuff. However, I do want a bin of mushrooms for the fun of watching them grow so I am trying to keep them alive

I was concerned about salt (sodium chloride) because of urine. I don't put them every day or every week, but I do use them.

It's a bit hard to turn it now. I know the bottom part need aeration but the mushes are getting in the way :(

How do you fix a salted soil though? I have no land so they're all pots.

You fix a salted soil by getting a test done that focuses on salt. What you need is the proper ratio of salts. The amounts you have are less important than the type. I've seen fields fixed that were salted with brine from underground water sources.

The only test lab I know of that routinely gives out salt ratio information and will give you specific recommendations is The Texas Plant and Soil Lab. They test soil from all over the world, so don't be shy if you don't live in their neighborhood. Cost for their basic test is $30 and includes much more than you get from any standard university test. This test lab has an excellent record of curing problems including salt problems.

Sophiera, ...question: You are concerned about 'salt'....without going into detail of what kind of salt you are concerned about or where such volume of is, ...what reasons do you have for such worry?
Have you been reading some messages in this journal and started questionsing whether your plants are so affected.

I have a suggestion. Enjoy your plants for what they are doing....and forget everything you have read about this subject of 'salt'.

Enjoy salt for what it does on your meals, be satisfied how salt in your body is keeping it healthy and appreciate how America is widely mined for this valuable resource.

Did you know that Detroit is sitting on one of the largest expanses of salt found anywhere in the world and trucks drive down tunnels for miles to remove such mineral.

Now aren't you glad that such mineral wealth is all about you.

I don't think jeannie read your post about the urine. That could cause salt buildup if used excessively, but it doesn't sound like that is the issue. Often you can see salt buildup in dry compost and soil. I would only grow concerned if there turns out that your potted plants react adversely. If the salt is too high, then they will probably show it quickly because the EC (electrical conductivity) will not allow for nutrient uptake and hydration. Then you will have to just mix the stuff with something less salty or you might get away with leaching the soil with water. If that doesn't work, there are chemicals sold at hydroponic stores that you can use to remove salts. Salt build up is common in potted plants, so you do have reason to be somewhat concerned. I mean, they don't exactly have the rest of the surrounding earth to distribute salts when watered so you have to be a tad bit more stringent on proper feeding.

30 usd= 70 malaysian ringgit. I can't afford that :(

Maybe that's why one of the pots stayed barren. Anything that I planted in that one died or never sprouted. I left it alone because I thought perhaps I used it too early. Maybe i'll try leaching it now.