How to Test Your Soil for Nutrients

[@mult1coloured]

I'd love to see this kind of thing done before and after soil amendments!

[@yumiravenmaskay9913]

I just noticed that you put the blue pill in the purple nitrogen container. In general, I get the instructions so thank you!

[@zackzimmer7167]

Haha! I noticed that too!

[@peppermeat8059]

yeah he messed up

[@geriburke1713]

Wow ... good catch!! I had to rewind after seeing your comment

[@johnnyboy13642]

Not even a catch. 5:24 the results obviously it's blue and the test strip colors are pink, which would send alarm bells off in anyone's brain straight away. Comparing blues to pink colors is not normal, and mixing the colors up is also not normal when dealing with the pills. Pretty sure he may have some kind of undiagnosed colorblindness.

[@heartymcfly]

Almost made me not like these tests but I may check them out bc of this comment haha

[@theyaf1374]

As a novice gardener I can't thank you enough this could realy make a difference to me ♥️

[@geriburke1713]

I just tested my soil with this kit and everything is depleted which explains why nothing grows past an inch high. Thank you!!

[@AnnLippert1]

i have the same problem! (my PH is good ) but everyting else? nope.

[@blackbird1234100]

The reason they grow an inch high is because seeds have nutrients in them to start the plant.

[@nick1f]

If you are colorblind, you should ask somebody else to interpret the test results for you. Looking at the test results (and considering the test pills were placed incorrectly), I would say that Phosphorus is between Deficient and Adequate, Nitrogen is Depleted, and Potassium between Depleted and Deficient.

[@epicgardening]

Yup. I thought I was less colorblind than I actually was in this video

[@eshabbatan9411]

@@epicgardening also nitrogen test should be pink but its blue and i dont know why

[@Raul28153]

the nitrogen sample looked green to me while the color chart looked white to pink; maybe it's the lighting. I use wood ash for phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. I don't find it changes the pH much at all but like all things; one can overdo it. Sulfut at about half a cup per gallon will neutralize the pH-changing character of wood ash. The bacteria will convert it to the oxoanion called sulfate and in that form the plants can use it. The bacteria in the soil will convert the sulfur to the oxoanion called sulfate and in that form the plants can use it.

[@ellykibale190]

can I use wood Ash as a source of phosphorous, calcium, magnesium and potassium in my garden.

[@ellykibale190]

can I use wood Ash as a source of phosphorous, calcium, magnesium and potassium in my garden?

[@yootoob6003]

i just watched a guy dig a hole with a little shovel ....for 5 min in real time man i love watching some good ol fashioned diggin holes

[@epicgardening]

Glad to support the addiction :P

[@bun9000]

I love how this was Kevin’s humble beginning.

[@Wabuh-Wabuh]

I use potassium nitrate for the nitrogen & potassium. Phosphoric acid or Liquid Bone meal for phosphorous. I mix it and a reservoir and spray the lawn with it.

[@ashleyc8365]

The tester is clearly color blind. I immediately thought of my color blind dad when I did my soil test. He would NOT be able to tell the purple and the blue apart. Ask someone to help you next time. My dad would only ask for help if it involves electrical work with red and green wires.

[@FknNefFy]

I understand you wouldn’t want the water to throw off the nutrient test but also shouldn’t you just use whatever water you water the plants with to make it a fair test?

[@patrickdowney2053]

Well, no. We want to test the soil, not the water.

[@steevo101]

looks like you put the BLUE pill in the PURPLE vial... and the PURPLE pill in the BLUE vial... does that matter?

[@epicgardening]

I used the wrong caps, but the pills went into the correct testing chambers! Damn being slightly colorblind ;)

[@GhostEmblem]

Yh the first one definitely looked blue and didnt match any of the purple indicators I was really confused until I read this comment.

[@mattmilne7380]

That's exactly what I saw. He put blue in purple and purple in blue. I thought I read the direction on the package I have wrong. They should change their colors so they aren't so similar. Maybe a nice mustard yellow. Everyone loves that dehydrated pee color don't they. Hahaha jk. But for reals purple and blue are too close and can be mixed easily if not paying attention. 👍

[@PigeonF16]

Great video! I'm off to buy the Rapitest! It looks to me like you put BLUE in PURPLE and vice versa. I thought it was the old "Is this dress BLUE or GOLD?" all over again. I couldn't see what was up with the BLUE and PURPLE test results. The YELLOW/ORANGE tester was obvious to me. Thanks again. I'm watching your Ph video next.

[@acx01bc]

I think you should add table salt to the mixture to help nitrate dissolve into the solution. And you are allowed to filter (coffee filter, two times, the second time put some well washed sand into the filter)

[@georget9430]

Epic, I purchased this kit over a year ago and had it sitting around until a few months ago. I should have watched your video before using it, because I made the mistake of only filling the left side of the chamber with the solution. It still doesn't make sense to me why you would have to fill both sides with the solution if your using a color chart as a visual reference. Place the contents of the pill with the solution in the left side test chamber and get a color reaction. Then compare that color to the right side to get a visual indication of nutrient levels. It should be that easy but for some reason I misread the directions and ended up with inconclusive results. I have to give this one another try. Good video :)

[@nick1f]

It makes perfect sense, if you consider that mixing two colors will give you a third color. By placing the solution under the color chart, you will compensate for the solution color. If the solution is totally transparent, then you don't need to put it under the chart as well. Imagine that you look at a blue paper under red light - the paper will appear violet (purple).

[@georget9430]

I understand how it works but that's what I dislike about it...it's too busy. There's just too much room for error and misjudgment in so many ways. For instance, I check the pH of nutrients that I run through my hydroponic system with a very straight forward kit. Fill clear tube with hydroponic solution to indicated line - Place three drops of test chemical in the tube - Apply cap and shake for one minute - Compare color of aqueous solution in tube to color chart provided for pH level. It should be that easy and straight forward but it's not. That's what threw me off from the beginning; the simplicity and ease of other products that I have used as compared to this one (oh and also the fact that my dumb ass didn't read the directions thoroughly). Never the less, I own it, paid for it and will try it once again. But this time blind folded, while balancing on a high wire above a pit full of baby chicks...video soon to come ;)

[@nick1f]

Some parameters that are easier to test than others. As you noticed, measuring pH is much easier than measuring NPK levels. Is not that the kit is of inferior quality, it just involves more attention when processing the sample.

[@epicgardening]

Nick nailed it

[@georget9430]

Yes, attention to detail and direction is key when using this kit; that was my downfall.

[@joseph.bkazmi]

your nitrogen test had a blue hue how did you confirm your results as there was no match in colours.

[@MrMattMohler]

PH, nitrogen, phos, and potassium is all well and good, but we all know plants need electrolytes and that's why I only use BRAWNDO because it has the electrolytes the plants crave!

[@ConspiracyBytes]

dude you totally messed up and did the blue in the purple and the purple in the blue.... we were scratching our heads on your color judgement

[@karrezza]

Wait, what??? Surplus is a pink color, the test area is BLUE????

[@gatsbylee2773]

yeap. I guess sth is wrong with his testing.

[@martin_wood]

he used the wrong color capsules lol

[@annenyman678]

That seems like an awful lot of soul and water when you only need a bit. I found that the directions on the package were confusing since I didn’t know whether or not to fill up both chambers.

[@lionellesbotha3122]

Thanks for the information. quick question, when planting sweet potatoes, what would be the ideal amounts those nutrients in the soil?

[@brucesummers7448]

Well done video and like that there is no music in the video, only information.

[@DSW-kt1fp]

Ok so you know the levels and what to add. but how much to add is the question?

[@babbjoseph1]

ive never done a soil test so i may be wrong but i think you put the blue pill in the purple bottle

[@alltheworldswonders4926]

In the fine print the instructions say to use indirect sunlight to view results. Also, for phosphorus it's best to shake the sample after you add the pill powder and after you've waited 10 min because the blue flakes should be suspended according to directions. Nice video though

[@Murlockingqc]

He put the purple powder in the blue container anyway...

[@alexthai2456]

I want to know is my soil have enough of all nutrients or doesn't have enough in order for me put more for it on soil or put less for it.

[@dorisdaylight8415]

You guys in the US are so lucky. In AUS these are triple the price than in Amazon US

[@gypsy1111]

Agree there's heaps of products they use (like biotone) that's ridiculously expensive in aus

[@AnnLippert1]

im curious why put water in both chambers? I get the one that has the powder but why the other?

[@emmanuelatolagbe2452]

How frequent should an organic soil/compost analysis be for a commercial soil/compost producer

[@truthseekerKJV]

The nitrogen test showed a grey bluish colored water. I don't know who you can even give a result of this test. The potassium test is the only one that actually showed a result.

[@PHamm54]

When measuring liquid you should use a liquid measuring cup. There is a difference in amount of solid (soil) vs liquid (water)

[@elonfan816]

they're both volumetric. What do you mean?

[@ricecowboy]

The only significant variance is soil compaction. The volumes are exactly the same.

[@pacquiaowright]

Thanks for the walk through, appreciate it.

[@epicgardening]

Of course!

[@GaryMcKinnonUFO]

If your plants are drinking rainwater test with distilled water, if your plants are drinking tap water test with tap water.

[@KatCap]

thanks for clarifying

[@GaryMcKinnonUFO]

@@KatCap My pleasure pal :)

[@princekaponde9664]

Great video. I’m a learning farmer / gardener and your video was class

[@Th33wild1]

I use the same water I used to water my soil for the test

[@erikadebenny]

If you have raised beds, do you need to do a separate test for each bed? Probably, huh.

[@farzanaraihani1386]

What is the expected result for N, P & K for a good compost? Do they need to have "high' reading for all N,P & K?

[@epicgardening]

They'll all be high because compost is all organic matter!

[@Murlockingqc]

Compost has very low NPK nutrients content, unless you are adding manure to your compost. Compost is high in organic material, good for amending soil... not feeding it. ;)

[@dppalmero]

Are the results using this test kits comaprable with laboratory tests??

[@spiiro]

Would this work for testing the NPK of water in a hydro set up? Would you just replace the soil with a cup of water?

[@ivyclark70]

Hi Kevin, just came across this video, thank you so much for putting the content together and making it so clear. I've learned heaps from your channel. Quick question - what sort of test radious would you use for testing? E.g. if you have a vege bed you want to test, would you test the soil either end of the bed? Assuming the compost i've been adding are from the same place, but i do have different plants in different parts of the bed over the growing season, and i'm imagining their intake will potentially be different resulting in different levels of NPK in the left over soil?

[@fazliddintursunov4693]

Thanks for you useful video! I have a question that what are you adding to the water (it seems kind of pills)? Thanks for your answer beforehand!

[@leazersworld1355]

i was wondering if i can use this test on liquid compost nutrient not soil

[@shubhamkulkarni655]

can you please tell me what are those capsule called?

[@robertdixon6536]

He's actually ok on phosphorous

[@rizamanigos7548]

What are those pills name?

[@gracemichelli7593]

How long did it take for the solution to settle in the chamber?

[@epicgardening]

~5 minutes or so

[@VegetablesGardening]

nice explanation

[@epicgardening]

Thank you!

[@AmirAnsari-mp7id]

I dont satisfy with nitrogen and phosphorus colour match

[@gracemichelli1675]

very helpful vid

[@brentgabriel6141]

Where can i buy that soil test kit? I will be using this for my research study

[@epicgardening]

I got mine on Amazon: amzn.to/2Nojsng

[@FknNefFy]

Where else do you buy anything I mean seriously...🧐

[@Tommo020788]

Any ideas on testing for zinc or magnesium defficiency? Some of my plants have shown symptoms that could be either of those, but just as you said in this video, I wouldn't wanna add more of either of those until I know if its defficient otherwise I could end up with too much.

[@PROTOTYPE-ISH]

I'd be interested in the response you receive. From what I've gathered less nitrogen(unless you want to focus on growing leaves🌿) and more potassium and phosphorous to support optimal sweet potato root🥔 development. Ideally, you'll test your soil to know what your soil nutrient levels are like and grow from there😉. Good luck!

[@AmirAnsari-mp7id]

What's up guys just completely on bed rest due to COVID-19 because I've no job

[@guigagude]

Minecraft is culture, after all. Been using bone meal to grow my plants all the time 😂

[@gardeningtipswithvicky]

Thanks but gardening is getting very complicated.our grandparents just add compost and poops of chicken and everything worked fine...

[@umeshchandrateki8158]

Where to get the capsules u r putting into that kits.....what are tgat capsules actually

[@epicgardening]

They come with the kit

[@umeshchandrateki8158]

@@epicgardening How to get the kit....where it is available.?

[@gladstonlewis3764]

hey, what is the name of the pill thing you threw in the water??

[@epicgardening]

It's the soil test chemicals

[@gladstonlewis3764]

@@epicgardening am doing some labs and i want to do a lab on soil texture on loam soil and clay soil....could you tell me the expected results

[@BrianLee-wi6yv]

Where can i buy those testers?

[@IsaacSuper1]

Amazon

[@FknNefFy]

Amazon. I gave her her glasses back thank you haven’t seen you in a while

[@ItsEphora]

Hey, this is an old video so i hope you see this. Are there electronic NPK testers with separate values for each nutrient? (The type you just plant in the soil) I know there are combined npk meters that just give you an overall fertility value but that's no good. And are electronic ph testers accurate? (they seem to be very common unlike npk ones)

[@Azam_Pakistan]

Increase audio level if possible

[@robertdixon6536]

Test Fail. Used wrong colour capsules

[@epicgardening]

I blame my color blind eyes ;)

[@asikabdullahvlog942]

tx from Bangladesh

[@epicgardening]

You're welcome!

[@-sol-8350]

I dont think the rapitest soil test are very accurate or accurate at all

[@waynespringer501]

You put the wrong pills in the blue and purple which is why your results didn't correlate at all to the color coding.

[@Paivatv]

Picks and chooses the results with what he thinks it is… interesting! 🤷‍♂️

[@Elizabeth-tg7jo]

This was hilarious. Loved the video.

[@epicgardening]

Thanks!

[@sergiomomesso1590]

Take care with his result in this video, he done it wrongly by mixing purple and blue pills then color do not match.

[@epicgardening]

Colorblind life :(

[@mjanssen1255]

@@epicgardening No worries brother! Tho it does ruin your results at least people can see were it went wrong.. If people have a problem with your color blindness then they should work on character building. Your video still had the adequate amount of information that one would need to properly run these tests, minus the small mix up! Thanks for the video!

[@drewsenthused6079]

Cheers

[@au.venturecouple8786]

That’s still topsoil

[@johnnyboy13642]

Do you have any form of color blindness? You said you did one of the tests multiple times, which would mean you were using the wrong color pill, multiple times. Not sure what went wrong here but you can see with the blue on the nitrogen test (it's all pink) that something is definitely not wrong, and I can't see how you could even begin to guess it's between adequate, sufficient or anything else. There is just no way you can see any similarity between colors, it would be a "Wow that's blue, there's nothing on the chart. Something's wrong..." Not picking holes, but have you been tested for various different types of color blindness? At 5:24 there's just no way someone with normal color vision is going to try to compare the colors as anything similar. It's like comparing green to red, you would be like "oh yeah that's green, and this is red...." not trying to say "this green kinda looks like a dark red here, maybe a light red..."