Home Soil Test vs Lab Soil Test. Demonstration and review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- In this video I will demonstrate how to accurately test your garden soil three different ways and compare the results of home test kits to a professional laboratory soil analysis.
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My Favorite Home Soil Test Kit
LaMotte Soil Test Kit:
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Music: IMovie - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
From one scientist to another, when you are adding drops from a reagent dropper bottle, it is important to hold the bottle vertically as they fall. Holding it sideways or at an angle breaks the surface tension of the drop early, giving you less accurate results because the entire "drop" did not form before falling
Thanks Rick! That makes perfect sense and I’ll definitely keep this valuable tip in mind in the future.
@Steve Mar. do they pay you to be an asshole? or you just get a kick out of getting people to shit on you?
@@stevemar.6758 why do you say that
I love how dirt testing always bring us soil scientists in, and everyone always has some small detail to add
same
I love the way your future self appeared and then the mail in soil test came at you. 🤣 you make your videos entertaining and real (snacking on your fruits)
Thank you! I have fun making them and I’m glad you enjoy them
Just a small point on colour-matching. Be sure to do this outside in daylight, and not indoors using electric light bulbs. That's because electric light bulbs will give false colours - depending upon the type of electric bulbs you have - which would affect the accuracy of your colour-matching. You'd see more yellow or blue with electric bulbs compared with natural sunlight (something known as colour temperature). This is particularly relevant if you're testing in the darker days early in the year or looking to test for indoor plants or in an artificially lit potting shed or greenhouse.
Free game if your here for anything to do with grow tips and testing thank you
Oh my gosh! No fair! You grabbed that beautiful orange off that tree and I could almost taste it. You are so blessed to have a green thumb. I just discovered your videos a couple days ago and I so enjoy them because you have a way of making your advice understandable for everyone, I've already learned so much. Thank you from South Carolina.
This presentation was well done. I appreciated the comparisons. It supported my decision this year to pay for a professional soil analysis. More expensive yes, but the information provided is worth the extra money. (The paid analysis provides suggestions for the application rates needed to improve the nutrients in the soil.)
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for showing the sieve, I never thought that was so important. Wonderful video and very professionally made. Thank you for sharing.
Hi,
Myself Omkar (India).. Sir u doing best tutorials.. It's so helpful to me. Please keep going and teach to modern farmers like me. Your worthy guidance is very much important to me. 😊❤️
Hi Omkar! I’m so glad you are enjoying my videos and finding them helpful! I’ll keep sharing as much as I can! Happy farming!
I don't understand why anyone would thumbs down this highly informative and concise video.
I didn't thumbs down it, but this video does imply that taking a soil sample to your local ag office for real lab testing is expensive.. He seems like he is doing the TH-cam as a job thing by only referencing products he can help sell by name, get a commission by providing a link, or future ad money, note he never said by name the company he sent his soil sample off to as that wouldn't make him any money. By saying it was the most expensive and "showing" home tests he gets a commission off you buying were fairly accurate. It's common sense that this man is an entertainer by trade because of his presentation, but most people don't realize that because TH-cam has alot of genuine educational videos. He is fun to watch for sure. I work in a laboratory and trust me the real smart people are not entertaining fun characters 99.999999% of the time. Also color comparison tests like this are garbage for soooo many reasons. You can attempt to prove your home tests accuracy by using duplicates and standards though which he did not choose to do. At very least doing a blank with distilled water only along with these tests would have made the video more interesting as the lab has to do those things to prove the accuracy of the tests.
Very interesting. I remember the days (50 years ago) of my dad (he was from Italy) testing the soil for the garden by tasting it on the tip of his tongue. He always had a successful garden. Things have certainly changed. LOL!
That’s pretty awesome! Thank you for sharing
Probably like crocodile dundee reading the sun for time.
My farmer (fresh produce farmer) often tested his soil and his homemade sausage (raw) by tasting it. He died of stomach cancer at age 76. Most docs think there was a connection.
@@craigborgardt6396 We should be so lucky as to live to 76. That's the current avg lifespan in the U.S.
I wish every teacher I had in school was like you, very good teacher
Thank you
My wife and I are trying to grow a vibrant green garden in El Paso, TX. It’s slightly more challenging than I’d anticipated. The composition of the soil is very sandy. Without prior test, we’ve mixed in top soils and other composts. It’s doing surprisingly well consider what the soil is. Thank you for the video!
Awesome! Sounds like exactly what I would amend with in your situation. Glad it’s working well. Happy gardening
This is so helpful and so validating. For years I have seen not to add bone meal because it's "very rare" to be low in phosphorus, even by extension offices! I tested mine last summer with rapitest and it's says I'm deficient in phosphorus. Could have saved me 3 years of scratching my head and wondering why my yields were so low 🥺
Grabbing a fresh orange off the tree mid-video and devouring it is quite the flex.
Haha, yes 😂
That's when I hit the sub button
Yeah I’m jealous too! Lol
That's rude eating in front of us and not offering us one
I cringed at the sight of a juicy, highly acidic, food being eaten over the test materials.
But, good job removing your gloves first! 😎
Still a worthy demonstration. 👍
You're killing me with the fresh oranges ☺️. Great info. Thank you.
Shari Fitzpat haha, they are so delicious! Thank you!
Great stuff Kyle. Just moved from Oregon to North Carolina, and the soil composition is significantly different (clay to sand). Local extension office says mail-in tests are 8 weeks backed up because it is the busy season! So I'm looking at the Lamotte kit now.
Wow, the info and presentation are awesome. I just recently found you, and now I can spend the winter learning new ideas etc for gardening next year.
I have been toying with the idea of soil testing for a while, but wasn’t sure best way to get it done correctly and efficiently. I have added the LaMotte kit to my cart :) Thank you!
Thank! I’m glad you are enjoying my videos
You may have the best presentation skills of any TH-camr I've watched. It was entertaining and also conveyed information well. Congratulations!
Thank you so much! I’m still to this so this feedback is very encouraging.
Your videos are so perfect. They are quick and to the point and I have already learned SO MUCH! I can't tell you how happy I am to have found your channel. You break everything down so simply for someone new to gardening. THANK YOU!
Thank you! That’s my goal for these videos so I’m glad you feel this way and greatly appreciate you sharing this feedback!
Thank you for the dedication to making this video. Helps a lot, great job
Glad it was helpful!
Great gardener, premium pruning, firefighter AND the perfect cocktail shake? 😂👍🍸🌿🪴 This is a great channel!
Haha😂 thanks!
Oh yeah!! Great explanation, KYLE! Way to go! We were just looking at how to do this and love that you showed the comparison!
Thanks for testing with the three tests and the recommendation. Instead of amending the soil, consider looking into regenerative farming. I was introduced via TH-cam to Gabe Brown. My husband and I are learning to restore natural process back to the soil on our small farm. These natural processes replenish nutrients, improve water absorbance and retention, and reduce runoff. Happy Farming.
Thank you and thank you for your recommendation
Amending the soil could mean via compost, as I'm doing. I'm using the LaMotte test kit to get a profile of my compost to know, for instance, should I keep out citrus fruit waste or add it (re pH).
Such good energy, relaxing, informative and fun to watch. Thank you for this ☺
Thank you! I appreciate your feedback
So good to hear a clear articulate explantion..Very interesting thanks a lot
Thank you
I don't even have an outdoor garden (condo dweller), but I still watched this entire video. This dude is interesting to watch 🤣
Thank you so much!
Another great video Kyle. Thanks
I probably will get the kit to test our soils; front, back, and purchased.
We started some pots and raised planters because of our particular situation. Found an ag service south of town where I can get a trailer full of soil for about as much as the gas to get there (not really, just hurts to fill up) and way less than the bags at the store.
Thank you for the insertion of the 24-hour wait. Brilliantly done!
Finally someone who can speak clearly with no heavy accents and no audio trouble with great presentation skills keeping right on track giving a great amount of information without rambling on and on. I applaud you Sir and thank you
Thank you so much! Experiencing many of the videos you’re describing is one of the reasons I decided to start a channel. I appreciate your feedback and support
This accents heavy as heck to me
Phenomenal job and video. Outstanding. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
You are absolutely entertaining! Great editing as well!!
Thank you!
I was in the pool business for decades. Lamotte test kits are the best there are.
🙌🏼
First: I know nothing on this. That’s how I found your video. Thank you and it is very informative!
Notes:
What was the price for each?
Let’s do a side by side of color for all minor tests (let the audience decide on the color) also makes for another video..
Set goals for your type of garden. (Small urban: use this. Suburban: use that. Price no matter or farmer: use LMNOP…)
Having spent twenty-five plus years using Test kits for mostly water Testing, we were taught to hold containers that one uses to release drops as VERTICALLY as possible. This insures that the drops are the correct size to get ACCURATE results.
Thank you for this very educational video, looking forward to see how you amend the soil using these results
I am motivated to and well inform by ur videos ill start my garden 237 sq very soon as soon as i am ready and finished all of ur videos!.. Thanks a lot.. Very well informative vid. God bless u..po..
Richel Matildo that’s awesome! Thank you so much!
Love the video especially the orange tree wow what a amazing fruit on that tree 🌳 😍 😋
The test was pretty exciting, it provides me the great information regarding soil test techniques.
lenin shamsher awesome!
Just today sent my soil off for testing. Your information was excellent.
Carol Rose awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed my video! Thank you
Thank you. I also like how you filmed the video.
Thank you
I am surprised how accurate the small store bought tests are to the actual lab test. Thanks.
Yeah, not too bad
Great video bud! Definitely Subbed after seeing how informative you were here💪
I love that chair. I have a similar one and it's my favorite.
Thanks! I do too, i bought it at an estate sale in the neighborhood
Hi. Does the instruction tells you what it meant by surplus, sufficient, adequate, deficient and depleted? Does it also shared tips on how to increase them should it be deficient and depleted? This is for rapid test.Thanks
Great vlog
Just bought the la mount kit.
I’m having issues with my beds here in napa. Can’t wait to use it.
Mary Ritelli thank you so much! I’m loving this LaMotte kit!
I fill my beds with the organic compost from the Napa composting facility. Have you tried that?
Michael McMillan I will check it out that you.
Great video. Before I saw your video, I purchased a Yard Mastery test kit. Hope it is somewhat accurate.
Great video. Great information. Great content. Thanks!
Thank you
So jealous of your orange tree full of fruits! Glad I came across your channel; great and clear info so I subscribed!
I am certainly grateful for it! I’m glad you’re enjoying my videos. Thank you for subscribing!
Great video! Your extremely talented when it comes to making educational videos!
Question: What lab do you send the soil sample to?
Job well done. This confirmed what I learned about the LaMotte kit from another video. Thanks.
dubbya57 thank you! I’m so glad you found my video helpful in your research! It can be frustrating to get lots of mixed feedback and reviews etc. we all know the feeling. Thank you for your feedback!
I've also used the Rapi test, and won't be using again if I had a choice. i am very interested in the Lamotte test kit. Thanks for the information.
I’ve been quite pleased with LaMotte
so informative! I have always been a bit nervous to try a soil test kit. This gives me some confidence to give it a try. And I think I will try the LaMotte one. Thanks for sharing! :D
Kristine Leach thank you! I’m so glad you found it helpful. I absolutely recommend that LaMotte kit 👍🏼
It is great and excellent informative presentation. Thanks
Thank you
Wow oranges 🍊 look amazing
Thank you!
Did you make a follow up video on how you amended your soil based on the results & did you re-test to confirm it ended up in the necessary ranges??
Question. Why did you dry out the soil prior to testing. I've done several soil tests and this has never been part of the advice I've gotten so I need to be able to explain to my students. Thank you for responding ASAP.
I just stumbled onto your channel. Thank you for doing this video, I am going to be doing some soil testing soon and it was good to see the processes. I also loved your performance in Happy Gilmore!! =)
Funny creative teaching God bless you
I bought the multi pack of the rapeed test kit. If you would have strained the soil I believe your results would have been better. It just depends on what your trying to do with the soil. AG, Lawn, Garden or food plots which test is right for you.
Thank you for sharing your suggestion
Smart Man! Most tests contain some pretty nasty chemicals so well done for avoiding skin contact. Phosphorus tests in particular typically contains Antimony, which resembles arsenic in toxicity and a potential nerve poison.
This video has great content. Can you complement making a visit to the laboratory that did the tests?
Great video. This leads me in the right direction for my lawn.
When I used to test my fish tanks, I was always told to keep the test tubes against the solid white background of the color chart card
Terrific video! I'm now a subscriber!
Hey man shouldve watched yours earlier and I would have bought lamotte. Thanks man very clear!
Waldo Alcantara I’m glad you enjoyed my video and found it helpful. You still should buy LaMotte 👍🏼
I did and now can't do without it. Now I am formulating my own potting mix using it. Appreciation all the way from Philippines!
Thank you, exactly the info I was looking for and was fun to watch :)
You’re welcome! Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
That was informative, thank you Kyle!
Great information, awesome presentation. Thank you!
Hi 🙂 please, which form of potasium, phosphorus and nitrogen do you know you have in soil?
or does it say about them in general?
cause every form of nitrogen/potassium/phosphorus is usable for plants differently
im not sure how long you do videos but you definitely have more subs! great info thanx
Iv Maz I’m new to this and still learning a lot. Thank you for your support!
Kyle I'm sure Mirgan really appreciates you using her kitchen tools lol! The oranges look great. My Oranges were funky crop this year. Some are sweet, some not so much. Some are juicy & some kinda dry. They are usually very sweet & juicy. Anything I should do for next year?
Trisha Navarro she will once she gets all those delicious veggies this summer! Thanks, they are absolutely delicious. General health (water/soil health) etc. are usually all that’s required for established orange trees.
hello, asking if the intensity of shaking the solution does affect the pH results or is it needed to shake it vigorously?
It’s supposed to be shaken this way and the only effect is greater accuracy
seems every body gets the same results with these tests, do they include an add leaflet for amendments by any chance?
Does lemotte have a test kit for your yard rather than garden? Judging by how well my grass grows now im guessing I'm gonna rate high on somthing like uranium or plutonium or somthing.
Terrific vid! I've used Rapid Test before. I'd like to send samples to a lab for micronutrient testing too, but I'm waiting till I'm growing on land that I own. Macronutrient testing will suffice on this rented land for me.
Looks like I'll buy a Lamotte kit.
Foggy Patch Farm thank you! I’m glad you found it helpful and I think that’s a great plan!
I live in Florida and I have all sand so my test is very easy
Good stuff! Thanks for the information
Thanks, as a noob farmer with a little chemistry experience this is exactly the video I was looking for.
Richard Hartnell you’re very welcome. Thank you for that feedback. I’m glad you found my video helpful.
Great and very helpful video
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
The only thing you did different was screen the soil on 1 and not the other. I wonder if you screened the 1st test kit would it be more accurate?
Great video, keep them coming!
Michael McMillan thank you! I certainly will!
Great lesson, how can we get the testing kit? can you supply us?
If you do the at home test how will you know what amendments to add for the crop you're growing?
Okay, very good job. When the test kit instructions say add water, is that city water, spring water, or distilled water? I suppose city water has chemicals in it which might affect the results, but I'm no expert.
I use city water because that’s what I’ll be irrigating my garden with. Some people recommend distilled water
Distilled water is recommended for accurate test results.
The ebstone link is no longer working, and I can't find the soil test kit on your Amazon store. Could you update, please? Currently doing the same process of turning a lawn full of weeds into a veggie garden! Glad I found you :)
Hi Rachel, thank you so much for taking the time to let me know. I’ll work on getting that back in action today for both of those. Best of luck with your project!
Ok, I just updated both. It looks like LaMotte might have discontinued this kit for a new version so I added that to the page. It looks very similar and should work as good or hopefully even better
@@urbanfarmstead Thank you so much!!
Great video and beautiful tree thanks for sharing
I've been curious about these testers. I hear they're the same or just as good as sending it out
Hi Kyle, where did you Mail your soil for testing please. Love your garden and videos. Thank you for sharing ♥️
Hi, I sent it to a lab in nearby Ranch Cordova
Awesome content!! I needed this today. Thanks a lot!!
P O thank you so much!
Really nice Thanks for sharing
For anyone interested in free or very cheap soil testing, look for your local extension office. Most states offer free soil testing, just take samples and drop them off at the extension office and you’ll get accurate results in a weekday or two
I wonder if they offer this in Canada.
@@xXLunatikxXlul not sure but it’s not unlikely. I would probably start by contacting your local government, they would probably know something about a service like that. I did a little digging and there are soil maps available on the Canadian gov website so that might help depending on how much detail you want.
Great video, just subscribed.
Thank you!
Hey guys just so you know the leafLuster rapitest is actually a very good test for the money it costs. If you try HomeDepot they actually have the leafLuster rapitest bulk package that actually carry’s 40 tests in one package which is 10 x tests per nutrient :10PH Alk/Ac -10Nitrogen -10K potassium/potash -10Phosphorus
It has 10 each of the colored tablets a dropper and 4 separate testing containers that look a lot like tic-tac- containers. There is a guide table for all levels of nutrients for certain vegetables/flowers etc. The cardboard packaging doubles as a pin up information guide for everything soil nutrient/ tips for growth etc. Hope this helps….It costs 14.99 at Home Depot. I’m sure you can find it at Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, and maybe even at your local nurseries although this guy did say he purchased the one in the video at a nursery, so they might carry the bulk package with multiple tests.
It used to be that you could go to the agricultural extension agent in your county and get your soil tested. I imagine you still can in rural farm areas.
Lee Ackerson that would be pretty cool, but I’m not aware of any options in my. Area that are even remotely affordable for the home gardener
@Luvanicebum yeah, the soil test prices are pretty outrageous! Our local lab is not associated with a university as far as I know but still very pricey. Living here in California I wouldn’t know much about “tax-free living” but I would agree that there are likely federal government influences at least partially responsible.
have you compared any of the ph tester meters to these tests?
Does the LaMotte give recommendation on what fertilizer and how much based on the results? My tomatoes stared great and do have fruit but the lower leaves are turning yellow and wilting. Need to know quick what is causing this.
my PH was all around 8PH in 3 tests. the others were very low even my control from a spot where i havent gardened
This is a great video, thank you sharing 🙂.
Thank you so much! It’s my pleasure!
👌👌👌
' I went back to the kitchen and found this strainer'... Did every wife cringe when he said that?
would you be kind enough to let us know the name and/or number of the Lamotte test kit in the blue bag? the link you provided no longer works...mygreathanks and blessings