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Soil Test Kit
Plants need food (nutrients) for healthy growth. Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash (N, P and K for short), play a vital role in plant growth just as vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and protein do in our health.
N
 Nitrogen is synonymous with plant nutrition. It is directly responsible for producing leaf growth and green leaves. A deficiency causes yellow leaves and stunted growth. Too much nitrogen causes over-abundant foliage with delayed flowering; the plant becomes subject to disease and it's fruit is of poor quality.
P Growing plants need phosphorous. It is the major constituent of plant genetics and seed development. A deficiency causes stunted growth and seed sterility. Phosphorous aids plant maturity, increases the seed yield, increases vitamin content and aids the plant's resistance to disease and winter kill.
K Potash strengthens the plant. It helps form carbohydrates and promotes protein synthesis. It will improve the color and flavor of fruit. It further aids early growth, stem strength and cold hardiness. Plants deficient in potash are usually stunted and have poorly developed root systems. Leaves are spotted, curled and appear dried out at the edges. Yields from potash deficiet plants are low.
pH Plants also need the correct pH (acidity/alkalinity) level which controlls how well plants utilize the nutrients available in your soil. All plants have a pH preference, so it is important to know the pH level of your soil. You can then choose plants with the same pH preferences, avoid those that will not do well in your soil or know how to go about supplying their special growing needs. By testing your soil, you determine its exact condition so that you can fertilize and /or adjust pH more accurately, effecitvely nd economically.
HOW TO TEST YOUR SOIL
PREPARING YOUR SOIL SAMPLES
For lawns, annuals or house plants, take the soil sample from about 2-3" below the surface. For pereennials especially shrubs, vegetables and fruit, the sample should be from 4" deep. Avoid touching the soil with your hands. Test different areas of your soil, as it may differ according to past cultivation, underlying soil differences or a localized condition. It is preferable to make individual tests on several samples from different areas, than to mix the samples together. Place your soil sample into a clean container. Break the sample up with the trowel or spoon and allow it to dry out naturally. This is not essential, however it makes working with the sample easier. Remove any small stones, organic material such as grass, weeds or roots and hard particles of lime. Then crumble the sample finely and mix it thoroughly.
pH TEST ONLY:
1. Remove the cap from the green comparator and take out the package of capsules. Make sure the color chart (film) is in place.
2. Fill test chamber to soil fill line with soil sample.
3. Holding the capsule horizontally over the test chamber, carefully separate the two halves of the green capsule and pour powder into the test chamber.
4. Using the dropper provided, add water (preferably distilled) to water fill line.
5. Fit the cap onto comparator, making sure it is seated properly and caped tightly. Shake thoroughly.
6. Allow soil to settle and color to develop for about a minute.
7. Compare color of solution against pH chart. For best results allow daylight (not direct sunlight) to illuminate the solution.
N, P & K TESTS ONLY:
1. Fill a clean container with 1 cup of soil and 5 cups of water. (Larger or smaller quantities may be tested as long as the 1 part soil to 5 parts water proportions are maintained) For best results use bottled or distilled water.
2. Thoroughly shake or stir the soil and water together for at least one minute; then allow the mixture to stand undisturbed until it settles (30 minutes to 24 hours, dependent on soil). A fine clay soil will take much longer to settle out than a coarse sandy soil. The clarity of the solution will also vary, the clearer the better, however cloudiness will not affect the accuracy of the test.
3. Select the appropriate comparator for the test you wish to make. Remove the cap and take out the capsules which should be the same color as the cap. Make sure the color chart (film) is in place. Do not interchange color charts between comparators.
4. Using the dropper provided, fill the test and reference chambers to the fill mark on the chart with solution from your soil sample. Avoid disturbing the sediment. Transfer only liquid.
5. Remove one of the appropriate colored capsules from its poly bag. Holding the capsule horizontally over the test chamber, carefully separate the two halves and pour the powder into the test chamber.
6. Fit the cap on the comparator, making sure it is seated properly and caped tightly. Shake thoroughly.
7. Allow color to develop in the test chamber for 10 minutes.
8. Compare the color of the solution in the test chamber to the color chart. For best results allow daylight (not direct sunlight) to illuminate the solution. Judge colors, if neccessary, and note your results for future reference.
Follow the same easy steps for each of the N, P and K tests. When you have the test results you need, refer to the information included in kit for appropriate changes.