The same thing, or for a small fee, is available in most all states via their state extension service. It is something frequently recommended here over the years.

Dave

Lucky you. Costs 25 bucks per soil test at the Michigan State University Extension.

Rodney

Yeah. That is true. In the past I was looking for/under "Extension Services" but there was none in any state universities and colleges.UW offers a lot of help on agriculture issues issues including home gardening but no such services.

This service is now being offered by the county.: "King Conservation District Soil Testing Program"

And in my area I have to take the samples to their office. Luckily am about 15 miles from them. :

here is the link

You are very welcome, Seaside.

I hope others in the area also take advantage of this service.

Sey

I just noticed that the link that I posted before , is messed up. Sorry . So I am doing it again.

soil test

This coming Monday I will take my soil samples to the count office. we have not had rain for 5 days or so and the soil is not soggy.

I will post on the results when I get the report. I have been thinking that my soil is ok. We shall see.

Sey

PS. I chcked the link. It is working now. Forget the previous one.

UPDATE:

Today I took my soil samples (5 of them) to the county office. Very good and friendly reception. They told me it will take about 2 -3 weeks to get the reports in the mail. The best part was that it is a free service.

I will keep you posted when I get the results. I am ok with the pH (I think) . I want to know the nutrients analysis and recommendations. This year, for the first time ever, I will do fertilizing as needed, rather than by my guts feeling.

Talk to you soon.

Sey

Maybe I can mail you mine and you can take them in for me ;)

Peter (6b SE NY)

Maybe I can mail you mine and you can take them in for me ;)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Hehe, Sorry Peter, I have used all my max 5 free samples. Any additional sample test costs $20 each.

The thing is, the county mails the soil samples to a private lab in Portland , OR and they do the test. And of course , they charges the county. So the county pays the lab and the shipping cost and I , the resident, get the report at ZERO cost to me. But I used some gas driving to the county office, about 12 miles each way. There goes 2 bucks. hehe

Sey

The Moment Of Truth:

I got my soil test reports. They look as good as I've expected. Here is synopsis on one of the samples:

MEASURED / OPTIMUM.... comment

Organic Matter ... 16.4 / 10 ? .... High

pH .... 6.4 / 6.8 ........ Near Perfect

Nitrogen (NO3-N ).... 1 / 70-200 ..... Very very low

P (Weak Bray ?) ....69 / 30 ..... High

K (potassium) ... 206 / 150 .... slightly high

Mg (Magnesium) .. 195 / 150 ... Good @ CEC of 14

Ca (Calcium) .... 2112 / 200-250 .... High (no more eggshells . hehe)

Na (sodium) ..... 22 / 80 ..... Low (Now I can use rock salt to kill the slugs)

S (sulfur SO4 - S) ...... ... 5 / 70-200 .... Low.... Recommended gypsum. But it can increase Ca ??? Perhaps I should look into sulfates.Have to figure out.

TRACE ELEMENTS : They are either low or not measured for example Fe and Mn missing. Need to add Azomite.

Over all , the results look good. I am very happy with the pH in particular.

N: We know that N needs to be added continuously and also P and K tend to accumulate.

Now with the soil test on hand I know what to do.Or do I ?

Sey

Now you should check your irrigation water. I had my soil tested here in NJ years ago and i recall paying around $10. They suggested i didn't make any ammendments for growing fruit trees.

Good ground

Our city/tap water is the best for drinking, cooking. Probably it is on the acid side but not much. The pH on all my samples range from 6.1 to 6.4. They mentioned that 5.5 to 6.8 is acceptable.

I need to add micro nutrients like Sulfur and Iron. I have to get azomite and fertilizer with sulfate/sulfite .

Sey

Water pH:

I have a water pH kit that I bought from Petsmart. It works pretty good. I tested my soil before getting test report. I got about 6.6. the report showed 6.4. That is close enough.

So based on that I also tested my tap water. It is about 6.8-6.8. That is perfect. Slightly acidic.

What to do about Sulfur deficiency ?

I got a good ideas. Lilly Miller has a 21-0-0 Ammonium Sulfate { (NH4)2 SO4}.

by adding that I can hit 2 birds with 1 stone : add Nitrogen and Sulfur. Ammonium Sulfate has contains about 10% sulfur. That is enough.

Now I have to do something about Iron (Fe). Do you have a recommendation ?

Sey

What to do about Iron (Fe) ?

After a long search I am decided to ad granular IRONITE (1-0-1).

Her is how it is describe:

""Granular Ironite

The standard granulated Ironite plant supplement provides 1 percent nitrogen, no measurable phosphorous and 1 percent potassium, along with 12 percent iron. Apply
1.5 cups per 100 square feet. Ironite Plus granular contains 2 percent
iron, plus 12 percent nitrogen 10 percent phosphorus and 10 percent
nitrogen. Spread 3 to 9 cups of Ironite Plus per 100 square feet. Water
in granular Ironite immediately after spreading to distribute nutrients
to the roots.""

I have read things about lead and arsenic trace in it and have concluded that when mixed into soil their amount will be way below the max safety level. The problem becomes serious when you keep adding Ironite regularly, as it is done in lawn application.

Sey