Managing garden soil is no easy task; so many factors play a role in how well your plants grow in the soil.
Recently, I began preparing my own garden for the next growing season, getting the nutrients and fertilizers so I could plant right away. It then occurred to me; how can I be sure of what the soil needs?
At that point, I began searching for the best soil test kits to understand my own garden better.
Howdy, y’all! Stacy Smith here to help all you readers with a green thumb! If you need a helping hand to understand all the small factors to keep your soil healthy, look no further. I have included a few great kits you can try as well as how to pick the most suitable one for you.
With that being said, let’s get into it!
Top 5 Soil Test Kits
1. Luster Leaf B0000DI845
Luster Leaf provides an easy-to-use and comprehensive kit to test not just for soil pH but 40 different factors in total. There are multiple test packets for the pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels of the soil; great for beginners and masters alike.
Product Highlights
By having a kit that tests a range of factors in your soil, you are sure to get value for your money. There are ten sets for each factor, so the test lasts a little longer than expected. You’ll get a complete picture of the soil quality by testing multiple elements.
Furthermore, there is an included guide for over 450 plants to gauge a healthy pH level in the soil. If you have a variety of plants in your garden, keeping the soil’s pH at an optimal level can help them grow healthier.
Additionally, the kit is simple to use regardless of your experience with testing soil. To test the soil, simply mix a bit of water and powder from the capsule and compare it to the color comparator. You’ll have the results without leaving the comfort of your home; simple and easy yet effective!
What's There To Like About It?
Where the Luster Leaf kit shined was in its versatility. I especially appreciated having multiple test kits for every factor. By having access to these extra kits, I could test the soil before, during, and after the growing periods.
Another helpful feature of this kit is having everything color-coded. It is actually a straightforward system and easy to understand. There is no complex process to get a simple reading. I also found the guide for pH levels for different plants extremely useful.
What's There Not To Like About It?
One slight annoyance I had while working with this test kit was the design of the test bottles themselves. I found that the lip of the bottle was quite narrow, so it was challenging to get all the powder in. I worked around this by putting a piece of paper underneath the bottle while pouring the solution in with the dropper.
Pros and Cons of Luster Leaf B0000DI845
Pros
Cons
- Quick, at home results for Soil pH, Nitrogen, Phosphrous and Potash
- Innovative and inexpensive soil test kit features an easy-to-use capsule system and patented color comparators
- Contains all components needed for 40 tests. 10 for each of pH, N, P and K
2. MySoil B084TSNR79
At home and DIY soil testing kits are not always the most accurate or easy-to-use methods to test the soil. This is why MySoil aims to bridge this gap in having a quality analysis without leaving your home or calling in a professional.
Product Highlights
If you are looking to have a professional opinion on the makeup of your soil, MySoil is an excellent package to look into. Their lab analysis is able to gauge 13 plant nutrient levels for the most in-depth picture of your soil.
Furthermore, MySoil’s kit allows for any soil type to be tested no matter what condition your garden is in. From growing vegetables and trees to simple house plants, this is a kit that is suitable for any plant you are working with.
To get your results, all you need to do is take the sample kit and follow the instructions included. Place the sample in the enclosed prepaid mailing envelope, and they’ll handle the rest. You get results within six to eight days, along with recommendations on how to grow the healthiest plants possible.
What's There To Like About It?
Using the MySoil test kit was a straightforward process to get the most comprehensive look at my garden soil. I knocked it out in an afternoon and could forget about it for a week until the results came in.
Once I got the results back from MySoil, I could begin making amends in my soil. The results were incredibly accurate and the recommendations they included were extremely helpful. I would’ve never thought to do the things that they suggested!
What's There Not To Like About It?
If there is one drawback to using this kit, it would be its waiting period. The whole point of having a DIY or home soil testing kit is that you receive the results almost right away, but this one demands patience. However, if you are willing to wait, the results and suggestions included are quite valuable.
Pros and Cons of MySoil B084TSNR79
Pros
Cons
- KNOW BEFORE YOU GROW | Grow the healthiest, sustainable lawn and garden with the most accurate and easy to use professional soil test kit on the market
- FAST & ACCURATE | Unlike at-home pH meters and test strips, our mail-in professional lab analysis accurately measures 13 plant-available nutrient levels, including Nitrogen and pH. Results in 6-8 days
- FOR ANY GROWING SCENARIO | Tests any soil type and growing condition - lawn & turf, vegetable gardening, flowers, compost, trees, vines, ornamental landscape, house plants, soil-less media or hydroponics
3. Whitetail Institute of North America STK
Gardeners who are working with food plants such as fruits and vegetables require healthy soil for their plants. This can be helped by the Whitetail Institute of North America soil testing kit for an in-depth analysis.
Product Highlights
Where this soil testing kit shines is the focus given to achieving the healthiest soil for food plots. You will be able to save a buck on fertilizers and lime by using this kit. It will help you determine where your soil is lacking and what you should use to improve it.
Using this kit is straightforward and gives the same test methods that professional farmers use. Simply follow the included instructions and send the sample to Whitetail and wait for the results to be mailed or emailed to you.
Once you receive your results, you will find a detailed yet easy-to-understand graph showing the soil composition. What’s more, they include exact recommendations of how much lime and fertilizer you need to get optimal, healthy soil. These measurements are exact down to the last digit, saving you the hassle of finding the proper levels yourself.
What's There To Like About It?
What I especially liked about trying out this testing kit was the way the results were presented. I could see clearly where the soil needed to be adjusted.
By having the exact recommended amount included in the results page, I was able to save a lot of time, money, and energy buying various fertilizers and lime. Having a healthy environment for your plants, especially those meant for consumption, is incredibly essential.
What's There Not To Like About It?
Again, with this type of soil testing kit, there is a waiting period involved that is not a factor in DIY kits. If the quality of the results is an important factor for you, or if you are growing food plants, then the wait is definitely worth it. However, if you need quick results or aren’t growing plants for consumption, you can pass on this one.
Pros and Cons of Whitetail Institute of North America STK
Pros
Cons
- ENSURE the most SUCCESSFUL food plot possible
- SAVES YOU MONEY on fertilizer and lime
- VERY EASY TO USE - everything you need is included
4. Luster Leaf B00FGPLZZS
Luster Leaf provides a beautifully crafted and efficient machine for testing soil at home. At the heart of this kit is the soil test chamber. This will accurately read the color of the soil solution and display the results on the LED screen.
Product Highlights
Along with the soil test chamber, this Luster Leaf soil testing kit includes 25 test capsules. There are ten for pH measurements and five each for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash. There are four color-coded tubes to store the soil solution that corresponds to the capsule and test chamber itself.
To use the soil testing kit, mix the soil with water and the capsule; an included dropper will help you get it easily into the tube. Place it upright in the included holder to make sure the solution settles and develops well. You can then insert the tube into the test chamber and get the results within seconds!
Additionally, Luster Leaf includes a detailed chart for the pH preferences of more than 450 plants. If you are not sure of how to adjust the pH of your soil, don’t worry. The booklet also includes instructions on how to do just that.
What's There To Like About It?
While using this soil testing kit, I especially appreciated the speed at which the results are given by the testing chamber. After all, soil analysis within seconds sounds like something straight out of sci-fi movies!
Furthermore, not only is the testing chamber’s LED screen easy to read, but it provides the information in a simple manner. Even beginners can understand their soil composition. You can see how close or far the soil is to attaining an optimal level.
What's There Not To Like About It?
It should be noted that the testing chamber uses the color of the soil to gauge the levels of the soil composition. This means soils that have a natural disposition, like clayey soils, can alter the results. There were cases of inaccuracy when working with such types of soil, a factor that should be considered before using.
Pros and Cons of Luster Leaf B00FGPLZZS
Pros
Cons
- Power Source Type: Battery Powered
5. Soil Savvy SSLG B01GIMOG8A
Soil Savvy is a perfect fit for those who may not fully grasp how to fertilize their garden or who need an in-depth analysis done. By submitting a soil sample, you are able to get back a full report that includes not only pH but 14 other nutrients!
Product Highlights
Having an expert opinion is always a great idea when it comes to home gardening. There is no complex process involved in order to get the same analysis as many professional landscapers and farmers.
In order to use this soil testing kit, simply use the included scooper and jar to collect a soil sample. Place it in the included prepaid postage envelope, then wait for your results to come via email or on their website.
Once you receive the results of your soil, they give you a few recommended organic and synthetic fertilizers that you can use. These recommendations are tailor-made for the individual, based on what is available in their area.
Additionally, your fertilizer management will benefit greatly from this. You will no longer have to buy or overexpose your plants to nutrients they already have. Simply follow the recommended steps, and watch the quality of your crops grow.
What's There To Like About It?
Professional grade testing accessible to the general public is the very first thought that comes to mind when using this soil testing kit. Everything from the results to recommendations shows a deep level of detail to soil composition.
It can be easy to get lost in a flood of information, especially when over 14 nutrients are being tested for. However, the Soil Savvy results were precise and straightforward, perfect for any home gardener.
What's There Not To Like About It?
Perhaps the biggest drawback to using this testing kit would be the waiting period involved. There are around seven to ten days between sending your sample and receiving the results. This is common with many professional-grade testing kits, and if a detailed analysis is what you need, then this kit is perfect for you.
Pros and Cons of Soil Savvy SSLG B01GIMOG8A
Pros
Cons
- Soil Testing Simplified! Soil Savvy is a Ready-To-Use professional-grade soil test kit available to the general public that provides an Easy-To-Understand fertilizer recommendation tailored to your specific soil.
- Analysis provides a full report, comprised of soil pH and 14 nutrients including (N,P,K)
- A truly Sustainable approach to fertilizer management, Soil Savvy determines what nutrients are needed by your plants and eliminates over application of the nutrients they don’t need.
Buyers Guide
Before you decide on a soil testing kit, you should be aware of a few points that can influence how effective the kit will be in your context. Keep these points in mind while choosing a gear, as they will help you find the best soil test kits tailor-made for you.
Factors Tested By The Kit
1. Macronutrients
There are commonly three factors tested when it comes to macronutrients in the soil. These are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Each of these factors has varying degrees of accuracy in soil testing kits.
For example, nitrogen is not static and can shift in concentration across the soil. Hence, the results cannot be said to be exact when measured. On the other hand, potassium and phosphorus are more stable and can affect the growth of the plant.
These three factors are the most common factors tested in kits; they have a prominent role to play in plant growth. Phosphorus helps the fruits and flowers of the plant, essential for those growing edible crops. Additionally, potassium helps roots grow strong, something to consider, especially for those planting rooted crops.
2. pH Levels
Another common factor of soil composition that is an essential part of any kit is the pH level. While the actual pH levels of specific plants can vary, the common acceptable range is between six to seven on the pH scale.
According to the plants being grown, the acidity of the soil should be adjusted accordingly. Having too acidic or too basic of a soil composition can cause the plants growing in it to become weaker over time. Adjustments are usually made using lime or calcium to increase or decrease the soil’s pH level.
Types Of Test Kits
There are quite a few means used when it comes to the methodology of testing the soil. Each of these has its own strengths and weaknesses in the process of testing. Depending on your personal needs, selecting the right one can change the entire user experience.
1. Chemical Kits
Soil testing kits that utilize a chemical reaction to obtain results are among the most common forms of testing available. It involves creating a soil sample composing of the soil itself, water, and a capsule dissolved into the mixture,
Once a soil sample is created, the resulting color of the formula will show the level of a particular compound in the soil. Additionally, charts are included to match this color to the corresponding level of the factor being tested for. These results can be read within minutes of mixing the soil solution.
Chemical soil testing kits are not the most accurate kits available as the exact amount cannot be determined from the colors alone. Moreover, the number of times the soil can be tested is limited to the number of test capsules available.
2. Digital Kits
For those who are looking for a basic soil testing kit, the digital models may be suitable for you. These kits use electrical charges to gauge the components of the soil.
The readings are taken and displayed by pushing the probe of the digital kit into the soil. However, these readings may not always be accurate. What’s more, the probes need to be thoroughly cleaned after every reading to have a more accurate result.
Additionally, where this type of kit falls short is in the variety of factors that it can test. Usually, these types of tests can only gauge the acidity or pH levels of the soil. If you need to take a reading on the micronutrients of the soil, a more in-depth testing kit may be more suitable.
3. Professional Kits
As is evident from the name, these kits are the highest quality and most accurate readings possible when it comes to soil testing. By employing the specialty of professionals, you will be able to get exact numbers and amounts of your soil’s composition.
Furthermore, these kits usually include recommendations by the pros on how to attain an optimal level of nutrients in your soil. They will show you where your soil is well-supplied and where it lacks certain nutrients.
One caveat to using this type of testing kit is the amount of time involved to receive the results. Typically these kits will send the results to you within a week. If you are in a time crunch, an at-home or DIY testing kit, like a chemical one, will better serve your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any gardener knows that plants require particular nutrients to have healthy growth, and it is not as simple as watering and providing sufficient sunlight to them. There are a variety of components that make up soil that can affect the growth of the plant.
Keeping tabs on the amount of these nutrients in your soil can help you decide whether or not a particular plant can thrive in that environment or not. A testing kit is the best way for home gardeners and hobbyists to have a complete picture of what kind of soil you are working with.
pH stands for the potential of hydrogen and relates to the chemistry of the soil. However, in the context of gardening, the pH level refers to how acidic or basic the mud is. This range goes from zero all the way up to 14, with zero being the most acidic and 14 the most basic.
Typically, most plants prefer a neutral pH level, but there are exceptions that demand an exact pH level. In these cases, monitoring the levels in your own garden should be the topmost priority. Thus, pH is one of the most important factors when it comes to testing soil.
My Final Recommendation
Now that you know a few options of testing kits and what to look for in one, the final decision lies with you.Â
My all-around pick has to go to the Luster Leaf B0000DI845 for the variety of tests it can conduct. Of course, for those who need more detailed analysis, the MySoil B084TSNR79 is an excellent professional option. If you are working with edible plants, then I definitely recommend the Whitetail Institute of North America STK, which is specifically designed for food plots.Â
With that said, I know your garden will be flourishing in no time. Giving your plants a healthy environment to thrive will help not just their life get easier but also yours.Â
Till next time, gardeners!