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Post by tbird on May 16, 2015 15:09:53 GMT -5
how do you use them?
Info so far says to take dirt from 6" down, mix with distilled or rain water, wait an hour, and put in strip.
Yea or nea?
and - I don't have distilled water.....
any sub? would a brita pitcher work for filtering - or no?
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Post by lilolpeapicker on May 16, 2015 15:19:48 GMT -5
I don't know about subbing but I can get a gal of distilled at Rite Aid for $1.09.
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Post by brownrexx on May 16, 2015 16:03:10 GMT -5
Definitely use distilled water if you want an accurate result. Distilled water will have a neutral pH. I don't know about your filtered water.
Take several samples from the area you want to test and mix them together then take a small sample of that mixed soil for testing.
That way you will get an average pH from the area you are testing. |
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Post by tbird on May 16, 2015 18:55:15 GMT -5
Maybe I can pick up some distilled water tomorrow. I thought I could just stick the paper in the dirt for a while, not so easy, I guess!
thanks all!
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Post by kimmsrđź•Š on May 17, 2015 5:51:24 GMT -5
Distilled water in that sealed up tightly bottle should have a pH of 7.0, but as soon as you open it the ions in the air will start to change that. Those litmus paper strips also have limited testing ranges. Is your litmus paper red or blue? What pH range are the strips to test for?
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Post by brownrexx on May 17, 2015 7:27:53 GMT -5
Litmus paper only shows whether a solution is acid or base and does not give you a number. I think that she has pH strips which change to colors other than red or blue.
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Post by tbird on May 17, 2015 8:07:43 GMT -5
yes - it is the little strips. the comparison chart shows 14 different shades of colors to go with ph of 1 to 14.
I was looking at those thermometer style ones - but they are pretty pricy!
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Post by lisaann on May 17, 2015 8:44:10 GMT -5
I was given a thermometer style one. Worthless! It's in the shed. It registers 6.8 anywhere you stick it. Even in a bag of peat moss.
I'll go dig it out. |
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Post by brownrexx on May 17, 2015 9:07:24 GMT -5
I was looking at those thermometer style ones - but they are pretty pricy! Don't waste your money. They really are worthless. The strips are fairly accurate but not the sensor type unless you spend $150 on the sensor and also buy calibrating solutions. It's much better to spend the money on a soil test and let a real lab use their pH meter which is calibrated daily. |
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Post by tbird on May 17, 2015 9:57:09 GMT -5
Thanks brown! Glad I didn't splurge then!
Just got home from the store - got my distilled water - and taking a smoothie break at the computer. then - I will do my tests!
I have a lot of strips....I'm going to check each raised bed, because, they all seem different, different histories, etc. and I'll check a few spots not in the beds too.
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Post by brownrexx on May 17, 2015 12:36:36 GMT -5
I am taking a computer break too. Phew...I am cleaning out the bee hive that died over the winter and it's messy and exhausting but I have had my break and now I have to go out and finish and then clean up.
I am looking forward to seeing your results. |
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Post by kimmsrđź•Š on May 18, 2015 6:48:34 GMT -5
Those litmus paper strips will give you an indication of what the soils pH might be but they will not tell you why the pH is what it is or what you need to do to correct what you have. |
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Post by tbird on May 18, 2015 8:35:38 GMT -5
an indication of what the soils pH might be I'm not sure what other purpose you might think I had purchased them for? |
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Post by tbird on May 18, 2015 9:20:14 GMT -5
OK - now the fun will begin!
i've set up my samples with the distilled water.
5 different raised beds - all with different histories (as far as I can recall) built at different times....)
1 random yard spot.
1 used coffee grounds
1 of my happy frog potting soil.
Going to take the dog for a walk, tidy up the kitchen and then at about 10, go out, record the data and nip off to work.
Took me a lot longer to prep all the samples than anticipated. I will report back before leaving for work.
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Post by tbird on May 18, 2015 11:04:57 GMT -5
I don't this worked out, maybe the strips were old. I got some confusing readings, and some strips didn't change color. So I tried to test the water, white vinegar and baking soda. Water didn't turn 2 strips the white vinegar came out a 4 (suppose to be a 2, and baking soda came out a 7 - suppose to be a 9.
so - either the distilled water was somehow at fault or the strips were old or something....
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