Soil Test Comparison: Home or Professional?

How do home soil tests compare to a professional lab? In this analysis, I take samples from three different areas of my garden and compare a 3-in-1 soil meter and the Rapitest to the results from my state's cooperative extension service.

In this video I share my method and the results of the comparison.

Bottom Line? I will continue to use my cooperative extension service yearly, but I will use these home tests throughout the year when I need quick results or when an approximate range will do.

Here are my affiliate links to the products above:

[matttemple]

There are so many tests of the two-probe meter, but none that I found that do the comparison to the testing lab. So this one is a REAL test. Thank you.

[douglas]

Thank you. This is exactly what I was looking for...accuracy of instant read testers. Not 100% accurate method, but possibly good enough for my gardening till I can afford better equipment. You did an excellent job showing us a true comparison.

[jayhay]

Very pleasant and informative. I am a farmer of ten years, but I like to review fundamentals once in awhile. You are so lucky to get free lab analysis! That is a $50 value. I would recommend going with that method because the software that prints your results is based on sophisticated agronomy. Not only due they consider ph impact, but npk, and various ratios and micronutrients and organic matter. But any testing method can only be as good as the sample provided.

[czechit]

Great video. I appreciated that you showed the different results so I can make a better decision.

[lindsaygoodwin]

Great video! Clear, concise and so helpful. You also seem like a lovely person.

[CaliKim]

Great info, Jill - amazing how revealing a soil test is!  All the year's I've gardened, I've never done one, but you've inspired me to give it a go.  The soil probe looks very simple and easy to use!

[dramc-ovcp]

Your meter matching the lab is a happy coincidence. Throw some vinegar into the test hole, and watch what changes; nothing. I have four of those meters, all four give different readings in the same hole.

[JackdeDuCoeur]

Great execution, comparing readings on the same samples. Good, helpful information. Thanks.

[lindsaygoodwin]

I used the same exact probe tester when I lived in Vietnam. I was skeptikal of it's accuracy, good to know it was accurate.

[jncnbn]

Thanks for sharing your research with us!

[emt-lee]

Nea here!!! Glad to see more Arkansas folks here

[brotangyoust]

One thing I have found with those probe type testers is the water level in soil and the cleanliness of the actual probes. If I really polish up the probe it is much more accurate, even just the lightest tarnish changes the reading.

[ras.]

What if the extension service used the probe.

[spidermandmax]

Like the way you thoroughly explained the results

[freedomination]

Lab testing is the only way to go, especially for beginners! You get Macro and Micro nutrient results! Calcium and Magnesium numbers are so valuable

[calkoho]

NICELY DONE. I think I will send off my samples.

[irwinweisbrot]

My probe pH meter always reads between 7 and 8 even under our hydrangea which has deep blue blossoms

[Skipperj]

Thanks that tells me a lot. I will buy a probe and start testing!

[redredwine]

Thanks! For info. I just bought one. I subscribed 🌹❤️

[nickuschrist]

I have both the rapid test and the probe living in NYS I haven't yet used the rapid test but I question the accuracy of my 3in1 soil probe