Ask Gardenerd: Soil Test Kits

Depending on the level of data you are looking to acquire when testing your yard’s soil, you can either purchase a store bought testing kit to use at home, or send out for a chemical lab test. The at-home testing kits look for potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, and potential Hydrogen (pH). The test is conducted by inserting some soil into the testing chamber, and then adding water to activate the test. The more extensive varieties that are done in labs can also test for heavy metals present within the soil.

Key Takeaways:

There are four different levels that store bought soil testing kits test for: nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and potential Hydrogen.
Soil is put into the test chamber, and then water is added in order to activate the testing protocol.
For those who need more extensive testing done for things like hard metals, a chemical evaluation can be submitted to a lab for a more detailed result.

“To test for pH (alkalinity or acidity) you put a soil sample in the test chamber and add water, then add the capsule, which contains chemicals that reveal your pH levels.”