North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[<dmnorton@royaloakfarmorchard.com>]

Steve,

We use A & L Great Lakes as well.  We have used them for over 10 years with 
great results.  But since you are in California, the University of 
California - Davis has a lsit of recommendations available at 
http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/434/18507.pdf and also at 
http://ceventura.ucdavis.edu/ben/avo_handbook/resources/labs.htm.  Hope this 
helps!

Dennis Norton
Royal Oak Farm Orchard
http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com
http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com
http://www.revivalhymn.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark & Helen Angermayer" <hangermayer@isp.com>
To: "North American Fruit Explorers" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2007 11:23 PM
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] soil testing


> Hi Steve,
>
> I use A & L Great Lakes Laboratories and have been happy with them.  They
> can do a fairly extensive Ag soil test depending on what package(s) you
> choose.  The S1 and S3 packages test for P,K,Mg,Ca,S,Zn,Mn,Fe,Cu,B,pH,CEC,
> percent base cation elements, and organic matter.  Total cost for the two
> packages is less than $20.  This summer I also had them do a leaf 
> analysis,
> which ran about the same cost.  They also do environmental testing, metals
> and non-metals, but I don't know what that costs.  You might start with 
> the
> Ag testing first to see if there is something way out a kilter with the
> minerals.  Very simple to send in a sample.  For a soil sample, dig down
> about 8" and collect some dirt from at least 10 different spots in the 
> area
> you want to sample.  Mix these dirt samples together to make a 
> "composite".
> Put about 2 cups of your composite in a good quality ziplock bag (don't 
> buy
> their special bags).  You can then go to the post office and buy a prepaid
> shipping envelope for $4.50 ( the ziplock bag of soil will fit in the
> envelope.)  Include the soil test application (printed off their website)
> and your check.  They'll send you a report of the soil analysis by e-mail
> after a few days followed by a hardcopy in the mail.
>
> Website:
>
> http://www.algreatlakes.com/lab_agr_soi.asp
>
> For some reason they don't post their prices for tests on their website.
> I've always emailed them to get the prices of the lab tests I was 
> interested
> in.
>
> Jim Fruth uses a different lab, and likes the work they do, but I can't
> remember the name.
>
> Mark
> KS
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Stephen Sadler" <>
> To: "'North American Fruit Explorers'" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2007 9:18 PM
> Subject: [NAFEX] soil testing
>
>
> > I previously mentioned my lifeless soil, and it was kindly suggested to 
> > me
> > that I get a thorough soil test, to not just look for nutrients but
> possible
> > contaminants as well.  There are areas here where not even weeds grow. 
> > My
> > suspicion is that the soil isn't lifeless, it's rich in pathogens; but
> > testing seems quite wise.
> >
> > The thing is, I've never tested my soil.  I've had big backyard gardens,
> an
> > acre or less, loaded them up with organic compost, corrected pH for
> > individual types of plants, and my past gardens have been thriving and
> > bountiful.
> >
> > So where does one look for soil testing for a small backyard plot?
> >
> > ~ Stephen
> > Sacramento, CA, where we think 50 is cold...
> >
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