How to Test Your Soil at Home For FREE!

[@stephanyv1901]

It was definitely extra windy in Michigan today! Great content and video today! Thank u so much for all that u do for the gardening community!

[@vicwickgardens9174]

Great information as always. I’m wearing one of your long sleeve shirts as I watched this episode. It’s very comfortable and perfect for the garden. Thanks 😊

[@igitahimsa5871]

Thank you :-)! Just what I need to know! Now Waiting on the nutrient vid- Yay! God Bless us all

[@russellradwanski5771]

Love the information you keep providing the community! If I may, it would have added to the video to see you come back to the sample and identity it on camera for people to see the separation of layers and process of measuring, particularly since there will be some who learn best that way. Cheers!

[@murnm4719]

I was thinking the same thing..

[@traceyshomestead1938]

I have a video where I go through this too and show the results! If you click my channel I think the video is one or two videos back.

[@traceyshomestead1938]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hp_Mi32Mo55ooac here's the link

[@bjohnson2143]

yeah. .. I was thinking the same thing.

[@homesteadingwithapurpose9681]

Thank you for this information.

[@jacquelineanthony1080]

oh also, I followed your vermicompost method and got worms from Uncle Jim, so happy with my worm first worm casting yesterday. Thank you for teaching us newbies

[@irmasanchez5274]

Thank you. Can't wait for the nutrient soil test.

[@BunnyLang]

I appreciate you. Thank you for all of your help. (My first time trying veggies!)

[@jofipps376]

I’m really grateful for this video! You did a great job and taught in a way that anyone can do it.🤗😘

[@anthonyshea5946]

Been wondering how to figure this out. Thanks Luke- super helpful!!!

[@katjoy9921]

Can you tell us what are the best percentages…not to make things perfect but to aim for a balance? Thanks for the great video.

[@grandmatuesday1184]

At 0:40 he tells the ratio he is looking for in his garden.

[@jeremyinthewild]

Also the previous video he goes into more detail

[@harshalshah4685]

This is a very subjective question, depends on: where you live (geography & geology) and what you want to grow. But for the most part it doesn't really matter all that much unless you're at one of the extremes of more than 90% of sand, silt, or clay; and even then it's still possible grow a backyard crop with some organic matter ammendments. I have a ~35-45% sand/ ~35-45% silt / ~15-20% clay mixture, not counting the organic matter. If I tried to change my soil composition by adding sand, silt, or clay... we're talking yards of material that would have to be roto-tilled in at depth of 12"-18" for it to *begin* to change the soil composition. It's 1000x easier and cheaper to just add compost, manure, grass clippings, etc... in order to build a better soil.

[@JasonOfTGA]

Thanks for the reminder to check my soil. I picked a spent under-performing part of my garden beds to do the suspension test, and came up I have half sand, half silt, no clay in that place, lol. No wonder I keep watering and feeding it and it always seems dead. Can't wait for the DIY soil nutrient test vid :)

[@miekiepiekie1]

Omg. Thank you. This makes me more confident in fixing my garden myself

[@justinfowler6325]

very useful information as always Luke 😊 thanks for this easy, free test. i was going to send off my soil actually. now i will DEFINITELY reconsider. thanks again and keep up the great work!

[@hollynelson543]

Love this series on soil. Thank you.

[@jackzampella5758]

Thanks so much , Luke. I am looking forward to learning how to test the nutrient content of my beds "for FREE". LOL thanks again.

[@stevengudewich6873]

Thank you Luke! This is genius I would love to see a follow up video that goes into detail interpreting the results (i.e. what ratios you are looking for in different circumstances)

[@Talula72]

We put in raised garden beds last year with all new soil, consisting of bagged garden soil, compost, and aged manure. I'm interested in seeing what ours settles out to be.

[@michellejames5953]

I live in SW MI and have bought seeds from you twice now, they had such outstanding germination as far as percent and how fast! Really a great value, hope you don’t raise your prices 😁 Thank you!

[@thomassmith6344]

Hello Michelle

[@micklee7018]

Cracking timing, waiting for at home nutrient one. Thank you very much.

[@marygrott8095]

Very informative! Thank you, Luke!

[@thomassmith6344]

Hello Mary

[@dojahboyC]

Daniel brought me here from Arms family God bless you Bro when I purchase my first home I will come back to you for my gardening knowledge 😁.

[@abydosianchulac2]

Also, depending on when your house was built, your city or county may have plans on hand from when any building work was done, like if septic work was installed. Those plans should have the results of several soil composition tests done as part of that permitting process.

[@victoriajohnson3034]

I've never tested, just always added thick layer of compost every spring.

[@redeemedvintageseamstress4728]

I don't know if you read these comments or not. You have so many subscribers I don't see how you have time! But I'd love to see that same jar after the recommended time with the layers you speak of. I kind of saw it after the few minutes....but it would be neat to see after the final waiting time. 🙂

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Dunno how I just found out you’re in Michigan lol - thanks KZbin algorithm! Congrats on a mil subscribers brother! Say hey anytime.

[@theproperty541]

You have us all out here Decanting our soul. So fancy...I am doing this tomorrow

[@75Bigsistr]

I'm going to do this over the weekend. Thanks, Luke!

[@GmamaGrowz]

Very interesting way to test garden soil 🤩 Thanks for sharing!

[@brg2743]

You never can go wrong with compost.

[@MsLuminous]

Sadhguru's been talking about how soil is disappearing so I thought I'd watch something about soil and this came up. Will try this, thanks.

[@shadyman6346]

Looking forward to the fertility tests as well! You are always so perfectly on point with instruction...Thanks!

[@AngelinAfrica]

You have inspired me & my Dog to start our container garden and start a video blog on KZbin. ❤❤❤😊 thanks. You are the BEST 😍😍🥰🥰👏👏🤩🤩

[@warzshadow9701]

Let me tell you, your enthusiasm always brings me to smile!

[@DynamicallyDisabled]

I literally did this in science class in the 2nd grade!!! Definitely mixing some compost and sand and clay from my yard into my store bought potting mix!

[@DynamicallyDisabled]

my garden mix last year was compost, top soil/clay from my yard, and store bought potting mix. I thought removing the top soil would help lol but guess I was wrong!

[@crushivintage]

I started growing in pots the first year, this year I'm going to try no dig methods and next maybe put in some raised beds. I love your channel and advice. I'm commenting from MN which is close in growing zone to whwere you are producing your show so your lectures and demos are really helpful. Thank you!

[@iveo83]

Great idea! You should have used the magic of television to show the completed jar 😉

[@mneraasen224]

Thanks Luke 🙌🏻 I’m the one gardener asking for topsoil 😂 every year I try to add some topsoil and compost. My inground garden is looking better every year🙌🏻

[@christophwoodchucknorris4040]

Ive been watching your videos for years now and am a fairly new sub. I just wanted to say this is the type of videos i like seeing. This is an amazing piece of art, thanks for your thoughts and knowledge. I am a new 2 year gardener and now have learned alot thanks to your videos.

[@fareebug8439]

💕WOW!!! Thank you, I love this- what a great video and great information. Can't wait for the next one! 💕 😳 And I totally think we did this in like 5 or 6th grade science class - but little did I know I would need to use it for gardening! Lol This is great!

[@geaizee9204]

Thanks for dealing with that weather for us!

[@carmenpirok533]

Thanks for the information! When will the nutrient test video be coming?

[@GeorgiaEBinns]

Thank you for the instruction! Great to know. Please tell us what is (are) the target ratio(s) for sand silt and clay!

[@thomassmith6344]

Hello binns

[@Tessa-si9tm]

Yes I was wondering the same thing I watched the video several times to see if I missed that information?

[@JuxstLer]

One thing I wouldve done is have one that's been sitting for 12 hrs to show what your talking about. Easy learning tool.

[@montanaliving4769]

Thanks for the reminder! I did this a few years back but forgot about it! I think I forgot because it came out really good but going to do it again. We are in the teens at night all last week and looks like the next week as well so still nothing in my beds!

[@David-ei1fs]

I would have liked to see the sample settled out with some commentary. I have very strange soil that turns to silly putty with the slightest moisture....I have to heavily amend it. Its called "Waxpool". Very waxy when wet but crumbles well when dry.

[@traceydysert6096]

Thanx Luke for the tips! I have tested my soil at home before but it was confusing and I'm usually great at figuring things out. This helped alot!

[@paulinerussell8942]

Thanks for this! I'm new on here and have a two year garden plan for an edible garden.

[@inchristalone25]

Yeah I moved to Florida but I still follow you. I can tell you overly loose soil is just as bad as overly compacted! We have mayakka sandy soil and it leaches extremely fast. Even mulch put on top disappears quickly.

[@Cecil_X]

Thanks again. I am looking forward to the nutrient test. I am confident about the sand / silt / clay proportions of my raised beds, but I will test to verify. I am not so confident about the nutrient content. I grow a cover crop (rye). I mulch and compost that, mixing it with the leaves I mulched the prior fall. I compost everything organic and ensure I have a hot compost. After two years, I add that to my beds. However, I have never tested the nutrients.

[@chefe2152]

Could you please do also video about testing for contaminants in soil,for urban dwellers with backyard who wants to convert it to urban garden. Thanks

[@kyller10]

Thank you I'm looking forward to the next episode

[@cra2cra226]

Kept waiting for you to pull out a jar that had settled the day before to show us what it will look like.

[@wildzenventures]

Good info! Thanks for putting this in layman's terms. I'm learning so much about gardening.

[@foreverwantingpie]

I just watched your video about the same thing from 5 years ago ! Love an update

[@drinkinbuddy8264]

Thank you so much for the information you gave me through the years. I feel now more than ever it is important to plant. My bed looks great and for some good soil

[@jeannine9066]

God bless you, Luke!

[@LibertyWarrior68]

Thank you, I didn't know why I didn't think of this, I always wanted to know the amount of clay in my soil.

[@cgirldiana]

This is important info! So helpful and so easy! Thank you for sharing, and I'll be looking forward to the nutrient video!

[@diazgrows9165]

Very helpful! Another key tool for the gardening toolbox. :)

[@AbidAli-bv2gl]

Excellent video

[@lizp1559]

This was very timely for me. Thanks.

[@memellie]

This was great,really looking forward to the nutrient test!!

[@erikacronje8985]

Awesome thanks as I need to amend my garden now before winter starts for winter veggies

[@deborahtofflemire7727]

Luke we are getting SMOW in Ontario Canada. I planted 3 beds of potatoes .So I did cover the with row covers ,I hope they will be ok . Crazy

[@nightswan1234]

Great gardening tip. Thanks for sharing.

[@elizabethraworth64]

This is exactly what I needed ! Thank you so much.

[@nutthrower4415]

Great info always, thanks

[@lancemartens646]

I've got my sample. Really looking forward to doing the nutrient test.

[@ardenpeters4386]

thank you! going out and getting some dirt!

[@darlenewright5850]

thank you Luke, will try. think spring!

[@kathleencarragher8194]

Thank you! I will get this done as soon as possible.

[@tonyramos3483]

Hi Luke! Hey, why don't you write an easy book of how to intercrop to reduce pests in the garden for beginners. Can you add a simple chart of examples, what goes well together and what doesn't?

[@TheCraig1962]

Ok after i get percentage, then what are percentages supposed to be for each of the sand, the clay and organics and silt?

[@donnayoung5942]

This is good information! Luke you’re the BEST!!

[@thomassmith6344]

Hello Donna

[@WannabeOperator]

I like how you said you'd show how to do a nutrient test in the next video, and the next suggested video wasn't anything like that nor can I find it anywhere in your videos or playlists

[@bearforry3569]

Great video, thank you.

[@ruthshaw1037]

Awesome info Luke. Thank you with love.

[@sandieweatherup]

Would have been cool to see the jar 12 hours later.

[@seanaames6855]

I bet he'll show it in the next video in this series.

[@cyhomer]

..next video..hopefully…

[@hamiltoncamp]

@@seanaames6855 The trouble with that is when you’re looking at a video a year later who knows where the follow up video is. You have to go in today creator stash of videos and start scrolling way back. So annoying

[@seanaames6855]

@hamiltoncamp I'm going to search on KZbin for the creator's name and the subject of this video. If we're lucky, they will have created a playlist.

[@freedomforall7292]

Hydrologic sorting

[@carolfoss6487]

Excellent information, thank you!

[@allanulen3809]

thank you for the information. can't wait for the next one

[@taylorkettler7106]

i am so glad you did this!

[@shannybug04]

saved tons!!!! thank u!!!!!!!!!

[@valmllr]

So useful and simple! Thank you! :)

[@kimberlyfaber9688]

Can you post a picture of what it supposed to look like so I have something to compare it to?

[@grouchyoldprepper8184]

This is the same as a science experiment we did in the 5th grade (back in the '60's). Now I wish I'd paid attention....

[@jamiemiller5616]

Excellent thank you!!!!!

[@scanyoursector5731]

You could always just do a Plastic Index of the soil sample using an Atterberg Liquid Limits Machine, then oven dry the sample, and use a Hydrometer to be as precise as possible!

[@victoriajohnson3034]

Thanks i really need these free ideas

[@EileenJoyHappy]

Oh that you for sharing this valuable tip with me.

[@thomassmith6344]

Hello Eileen

[@wanderingron2063]

That was very useful! Thx for the video!

[@tammykaltreider]

My jar would be red as we live in middle Georgia and our soil is red clay. Very heavy red clay.

[@PandorasBox2]

very useful thank you

[@erinsmith2373]

We did this in our MG class 😁 it's nice to know

[@streitrat]

I *knew* there had to be way to do it yourself!

[@marylafrance9547]

MIgardener from Port Huron MI? We're almost neighbors! I see you got a store for seeds, gonna go shopping

[@azpeach5680]

This was such great info!!!

[@amyk6028]

We moved into a new house in May and I planted veggies straight away, of course! WELL… It wasn’t long until my plant leaves started twisting, cupping and looking like they’ve been herbicide poisoned 😡 So, I didn’t get much of a harvest. My question is, what am I going to do going forward? Is there any way to get rid of it? I can’t grow everything I need to grow in containers. We moved here on 17 acres so we would have room to grow in the ground and in raised beds. 😢

[@scottloesch6808]

Another great video and thank you! Off subject but I was wondering if you have done a video on growing tomatillo's. If not would that be a possibility in the future?

[@cathyann6835]

Do you have a video on what things I should get for a good raised garden bed for soil? I'm not sure the percentage of topsoil to peat moss to bagged potting soil to fertilizer etc. I started a few beds last year then killed all my plants when I used straw for mulch. Apparently it had a high probability of being affected by grazon. So we need to dig that out and start over. I'm afraid to lose more money to a failure again. My yard is very high clay so raised beds are our answer.

[@shadowbanned8037]

What could I use instead of sand? My soil here is almost 100% clay.