North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Richard MURPHY" <murphman108@msn.com>]

The 4 way tester is questionable.

I might believe the light / moisture readings to +/- 20%, but...

not the Ph or Nutrient scales. Not at all.

Even the $80 pH testers can be off quite a bit, so I still use chemicals / ph test papers.

If you do, it is very important to STAY AWAY from curly light bulbs.

They make your pH paper read all sorts of WRONG DATA colors. Off by a LOT.

You can buy curly ones that mimic the Sun's spectrum for another dollar; they work fine.

I actually did the indoor / outdoor measurement challenge on some wines.

 

 

Good (amateur) soil test kits are available for $15

I think I got mine at Jungs. Nitrogen Phos. Potash, Ph, etc.

Neat little kit.

 

Murph

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Lee Reich

To: North American Fruit Explorers ; Jerrydana5@aol.com

Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 7:55 PM

Subject: Re: [NAFEX] soil tester

I also would be skeptical about the pH and especially the fertility tests. I have an electronic testor that does only pH and it's of dubious value. I also have one that tests light and moisture. I find the moisture probe very valuable, much easier than digging holes and feeling the soil. Soil is often dry at the surface but plenty moist only a few inches down. I've had and used my moisture testor for over 25 years!

Lee Reich, PhD

http://leereich.com/

Books by Lee Reich:

The Pruning Book

Weedless Gardening

Uncommon Fruits for Every Garden

A Northeast Gardener's Year

On Feb 5, 2008, at 11:12 AM, Jerrydana5@aol.com wrote:

Do any of you have any experience with these 4 way soil testers?  Stark sells one and Gurney's sells the same one.  They test light, moisture,ph, and fertility--n,p,k. Moisture and light seem pretty unnecessary-I have eyes and hands, but ph and fertility would be nice.  But I am sceptical.  Jerry in southern Indiana

---

Who's never won? Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music.

_______________________________________________

nafex mailing list 

nafex@lists.ibiblio.org

Reproduction of list messages or archives is not allowed.

This includes distribution on other email lists or reproduction on web sites.

Permission to reproduce is NEVER granted, so don't claim you have permission!

**YOU MUST BE SUBSCRIBED TO POST!**

Posts from email addresses that are not subscribed are discarded.

No exceptions.  

----

To subscribe or unsubscribe, go to the bottom of this page (also can be used to change other email options):

http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/nafex

File attachments are NOT stripped by this list.

TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM COMPUTER VIRUSES!

Please do not send binary files.

Use plain text ONLY in emails!

NAFEX web site:   http://www.nafex.org/

_______________________________________________
nafex mailing list
nafex@lists.ibiblio.org

Reproduction of list messages or archives is not allowed.
This includes distribution on other email lists or reproduction on web sites.
Permission to reproduce is NEVER granted, so don't claim you have permission!

**YOU MUST BE SUBSCRIBED TO POST!**
Posts from email addresses that are not subscribed are discarded.
No exceptions. 
----
To subscribe or unsubscribe, go to the bottom of this page (also can be used to change other email options):
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/nafex

File attachments are NOT stripped by this list.
TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM COMPUTER VIRUSES!
Please do not send binary files.
Use plain text ONLY in emails!

NAFEX web site:   http://www.nafex.org/