"Should I get a test kit and confirm that the soil is alkaline?"

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This is an eBay link "PH meter"

Mine is very cheap.

http://shop.ebay.es/?_from=R40&fts=2&_trksid=m570&_nkw=ph+meter&_sacat=See-All-Categories

And you can read and watch my other post

Ph Meter, my new toy, in my blog

Here is a link that might be useful: Medidor PH, mi nuevo juguete