The Mad pH Organicist

After weeding, I decided to break out a Santa present, the Rapitest Soil Test Kit, and test the pH, Potash, Nitrogen and Phosphorous levels of the garden bed.  Jumping ahead as usual, I assumed the last three tests were done the same as the first, and as I was shaking the soil/water/powder solution, I decided to read the directions.  Crap!  I have to do them again!

The pH test kit came with four little (basically TicTac-sized) boxes with color codes, capsules to add and fill lines of where to add soil and where to stop adding water.  The pH test went well enough and I ended up with a 6.5 which, according to research, should be perfect for growing all of the things I have ready to go, proving that I will be victorious in my planting!

The other three tests required that I mix a 1:5 ratio of soil to water, stir for a minute, let sit undisturbed for 30 minutes and then pipe in the soil/water solution (no soil)  to the testers, add the capsules, shake and wait 10 minutes for the colors to show themselves.  Show yourself!  However, in my zeal, I mixed the soil and water that I had to let sit undisturbed smack in the middle of my kitchen island, where I had to prep dinner, so now I had to work around a beaker of watery mud.  I never learn.

Ten minutes later, I discovered that I have a condescending "adequate" nitrogen level and a nonexistent level of potash and phosphorous.  On to Google to figure out how to compensate.  This weekend, I'll be at 's trying to find organic seaweed and ash mixes.  I hope these tomatoes, tomatillos, onions, peppers and strawberries appreciate this.