Best Soil Test Kit
Best Soil Test KitSoil test kits are chemical tests designed to determine the general quality of soil, and what might be done to tweak the soil in order to improve quality and ultimately, plant yield. These tests determine a wide range of information, including pH and nutrient levels.
Most testing requires in-depth analysis at a lab, but it’s now possible for homeowners to figure out their soils value from the convenience of the backyard using a basic soil testing kit. This article looks at these test kits and considers the best soil test kit for most gardeners’ needs.
Now, gardeners can figure out just what their flowers and lawns need without needing to invest a ton of money in hiring a professional. And most importantly, there’s no need to waste money on the wrong fertilizers!
Out of the three products that currently dominate the market, the best lawn test kit is the Soil Savvy Soil Test Kit. This product is slightly different from the others on the list, in that you need to mail it to the lab. However, the results arrive quickly (usually 7 business days), check for 14 nutrients and pH, and even include fertilizer and plant recommendations.
For the savvy gardener, receiving so much information for a low price is worth the investment, especially if it means healthier plants and less counterproductive work.
Last update on 2024-11-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
For further details on the Soil Savvy kit, see the Product Reviews section below. Also, you may find that this test kit, supplemented by rapid test kit and a soil moisture meter for regular testing, is a great combo for long-term knowledge and maintenance.
Lawn Test Kit Buyer’s Tips
Here are a few considerations to keep in mind when shopping for a soil test kit.
On-site vs. Mail-In
The biggest differentiator among the test kits we looked at is the method of receiving the information. One kit, the Soil Savvy Test Kit (our favorite), gets mailed to a lab, which processes the soil. You receive a detailed report on the state of the soil and what can be done to improve it in different ways.
The other two kits on our list both give on-the-ground results that are immediate, but give much less information, and allow for many samples per test kit.
We love the convenience of being able to learn about your soil in an instant, but really, you’ve gone through the trouble of searching for a test kit, and you might as well wait the few more days required to get more detailed results.
Information Needs
The big three compounds of concern in soil are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potash (K). All of the test kits on our list today supply information on these three compounds, though the more in-depth kit gives a great deal more information on the soil than just these.
And additionally, most gardeners want to know the pH of their soil. This can, of course, be changed, or alternatively, you can choose the plants to grow tailored to the soil pH that you have.
Let’s look closely at each of the major items of interest:
Nitrogen (N)
Nitrogen is the element that is most important for leaf growth and that powerful green leaf coloring. If your soil has too little nitrogen, leaves will turn yellow and will grow poorly. If you have too much nitrogen, your leaves will grow robustly, but they will take longer to flower or produce fruit.
Potash (K)
Potash aids stem growth and the plant’s overall strength. It will improve the quality and flavor of fruits. Plants with too little potash will be stunted and will produce poorer fruit (and less of it!)
Phosphorus (P)
Sufficient phosphorus will help plants reproduce, will improve seed quality, and will increase plant fruit yield. Additionally, phosphorus will help plants resist disease. If your garden is short on phosphorus, your plants will have dried-out looking leaves.
pH Balance
The pH Balance of the soil (how acidic/alkaline the soil is) determines how well the plant takes up nutrients from the soil. Different plants thrive in different pH environments.
By determining your soil’s pH, you can either try to optimize the circumstances you have by choosing the appropriate plants for your existing soil, or you can modify the pH of your soil by adding chemicals or blending soils together.
Putting it Together
If you’re looking for general information on pH, N, P, and K, then you may do just fine with any of the instant test kits on the market. But if you want a full spectrum analysis of the soil, providing a great deal more information specific to your circumstances, you’ll certainly be better off with a mail-in kit that provides a more detailed soil profile.
Chemical Safety
As a side note, please be careful when handling soil testing kits and their associated chemicals. Warnings should be included on each package and read thoroughly. Some of the compounds may be harmful if touched or swallowed, so just be careful when you use them.
Fertilizers and Recommendations
Once you know the current stats of your soil, you can then fertilize it with liquid fertilizers, worm-based compost, and other soil treatments that will get your soil to an optimal spot for the plants you seek to grow (typically grass and grass seed).
Using proper formulations for your soil means that you won’t be wasting money on fertilizer that doesn’t actually help you improve the quality of your plants.
Environmental Benefits
Fertilizers can be harmful to the environment, especially if they are not properly formulated for the soil, and they don’t get taken up by the soil, or are washed away. By using a soil test kit, you can be sure that you’re using the right amounts of the right fertilizer, helping you save money on fertilizer, and helping keep the environment healthy.
Keep in mind your local laws and regulations, though! For example, Massachusetts has a law stating that fertilizers containing phosphorus cannot be sold. Though if soil testing shows that the soil is low in phosphorus, it can be used… complicated stuff!
Be sure to consult your attorney before applying any fertilizer. And yes, we’re only half kidding here!
Soil Test Kit Reviews
In this section, we’ll look at three different soil testing systems. We’ll start with a basic comparison table to get the lay of the land, and then move into reviews of each of the kits.
Last update on 2024-11-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Soil Savvy Soil Test Kit
Key Points at a Glance
- Tests pH, N, P, and K
- Tests for 11 Other Nutrients
- Includes Fertilizer Recommendations for Results
- Instructions Included
- Needs to Be Mailed
- Made in the United States
- Tested in the United States
Dimensions and Specs
- Includes a Single Test
- Product Dimensions: 5 x 2.5 x 7 in.
- Weighs 8 oz.
The Details
The Soil Savvy Soil Test Kit is a backyard test that allows for soil collection and examination. The package comes with special equipment and a jar. Simply gather up a representative sample of your soil in the jar and send to the Soil Savvy lab.
Within 7 business days, you should receive a reply as well as a detailed pamphlet explaining the type of soil, its nutrient deficiencies, and fertilizer and plant recommendations.
This chart is an example of the first part of the results and shows the basic soil profile and the recommendations for fertilizers:
The Soil Savvy Soil Test Kit will check for pH, N, P, K, and 11 other nutrients. These nutrients are split into two categories: micronutrients and macronutrients. As part of the results, a detailed writeup explaining the function of each of these compounds is included.
See here for a sample report detailing the compounds the Soil Savvy kit will examine:
These results are generally much more detailed and helpful than what the other test kits supply. It’s just that they take several days to arrive, and only one sample is included per test!
Still, the wait is worth it, as you’ll have a better sense of your soil’s needs, and what can be done to improve the soil.
Each test contains a single test, instructions, and a prepaid postage envelope. If you want to test multiple locations, you’ll need multiple test kits.
You may want to use the Soil Savvy kit as your baseline, and then use a rapid test kit for further information and maintenance as you implement your fertilization and treatment plan.
All of the manufacturing and testing for the Soil Savvy is done in the United States, which is always nice!.
The Bottom Line
When starting out your lawn maintenance process, getting as much information as possible is super helpful. Although the Soil Savvy Soil Test Kit is the most expensive product on this list, it’s also the most accurate, the most detailed, and provides the most information possible to the user out of the soil tests examined here.
Users will appreciate the detailed, expert results, and the much greater volume of information and recommendation compared to other kits on the market. The only downside is that the soil needs to be mailed in for testing, with all the delays of snail mail.
However, this test kit can save gardeners time and money in the long run, which is why the Soil Savvy comes out on top. So run your test and keep hobbling along for about a week, until you get your detailed results.
Once you know what you need to do, you can begin to dial in the perfect soil consistency for your area!
- Soil Testing Simplified! Soil Savvy is a...
- Analysis provides a full report, comprised of soil...
- A truly Sustainable approach to fertilizer...
- The same soil testing technology used by leading...
- Each Kit includes all needed components and...
Last update on 2024-11-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. Luster Leaf 1601 Rapitest Soil Tester
Key Points at a Glance
- Tests pH, N, P, and K
- Instructions Included
- Includes a pH List for Plants
- Green Packaging
- Color-Coded Tests
- Plastic
Dimensions and Specs
- Contains 40 Tests Overall
- Contains 10 Tests Each for pH, N, P, and K
- Weighs 4.8 oz.
- Product Dimensions: 9 x 2 x 9 in.
The Details
The Luster Leaf 1601 Rapitest Soil Tester (Luster Leaf 1601) is an easy to use soil testing kit which includes 40 tests overall. Included are 10 tests each for pH, N, P, and K. The tests are color-coded so users don’t accidentally use the wrong one. Also, instructions are included for how to prepare and mix the soil sample with a testing agent.
The tests come in green packaging, and there is a pH list for plants that explains what flowers and shrubberies grow best in different types of soil.
The testing process for the Luster Leaf is very similar to the process of testing pool and spa chemicals for balance. The results are easy to read and are clearly color-coded to explain the meaning of the results.
The Bottom Line
In general, the Luster Leaf 1601 isn’t a bad kit, but it’s not very accurate. A lot of users found the results to be inconsistent when testing soil samples from the same area and others found that the test still read as nutrient depleted when testing pure potassium in a water solution.
Such results cast clear suspicion over just how well the tests can actually read the soil.
The product is inexpensive and might be good in some yards, but the results are just too inconsistent for the serious gardener. For this reason, the Luster Leaf 1601 loses out to the Soil Savvy.
- Quick, at home results for Soil pH, Nitrogen,...
- Innovative and inexpensive soil test kit features...
- Contains all components needed for 40 tests. 10...
- Simple, detailed instructions included. Great for...
- Soil pH preference list for over 450 plants...
Last update on 2024-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Environmental Concepts 1662 Professional Soil Test Kit with 40 Tests
Key Points at a Glance
- Includes a pH List for Plants
- Plastic
- Gardening Manual included
- Green Packaging
- Tests pH, N, P, and K
- Warranty is Available from Customer Service
- Includes Extra Parts in Case of Damage
- Instructions Included
Dimensions and Specs
- Contains 40 Tests Overall
- Contains 10 Tests Each for pH, N, P, and K
- Weighs 12 oz.
- Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 1.2 x 9 in.
The Details
The Environmental Concepts 1662 Professional Soil Test Kit (Environmental Concepts 1662) is a soil testing kit that checks pH, N, P, and K. Each set contains 40 separate tests with 10 tests for each category.
Extra parts are included in the initial package in case anything breaks while the tests are being conducted.
Environmental Concepts 1662 comes in green packaging and features tests made out of plastic as well as vials with the necessary chemical components.
Instructions are included for test use, as is a gardening manual with recommendations for what can be planted in different soil types. There is also an index of plants with their ideal pH levels to help buyers plan their gardens.
The Bottom Line
The tests in Environmental Concepts 1662 are pretty straightforward as far as chemical tests go and should be easy to read, although the instructions for use can be unclear.
One downside to the Environmental Concepts 1662 is that the results given tend to be extremely generalized, meaning they are not as precise as those from other kits. For the hardcore gardener and outdoors-person, this can be a serious drawback. Another problem is that the tests appear to be difficult to read, as it’s common for the reactions between the soil and the reagents to cloud the monitor.
For these reasons, Environmental Concepts 1662 did not come out on top.
- Contains components for 40 tests. 10 each for Soil...
- Comes with sturdy plastic case
- Simple and detailed instructions included
- pH preference list for hundreds of plants included
- Tips for gardening and altering soil conditions...
Last update on 2024-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion: Best Soil Test Kits for Grass
It can be hard to find a good home soil testing kit, especially since the chemicals and equipment can be difficult to transport. Added to that issue is that the tests tend to be small and cheaply made, and users suffer several conundrums.
If we had to choose one test kit, we would spring for the extra cost and hassle of the Soil Savvy Soil Test Kit. Having more information on your hands is quite helpful, and their setup and recommendation design are very solid.
However, you may want to consider using the Soil Savvy kit as your baseline and then purchasing an additional rapid-test kit like the LusterLeaf for repeat general testing of the major elements in different locations around the lawn and garden. This two-pronged approach gives you tons of information up-front, and a cheap way to continue to test and monitor changes in the soil over time, even if the accuracy isn’t ideal. A moisture meter may be helpful as well!
Last update on 2024-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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