Home Soil Test vs Lab Soil Test. Demonstration and review

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

[@ricksanchez2090]

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

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thanks Rick! That makes perfect sense and I’ll definitely keep this valuable tip in mind in the future.

[@garryarganis5801]

@Steve Mar. do they pay you to be an asshole? or you just get a kick out of getting people to shit on you?

[@mitubogoogle]

@@stevemar.6758 why do you say that

[@rickbear7249]

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.

[@thatmdguy4557]

Free game if your here for anything to do with grow tips and testing thank you

[@michaellebert8907]

I love how dirt testing always bring us soil scientists in, and everyone always has some small detail to add

[@OmkarLad902]

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. 😊❤️

[@urbanfarmstead]

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!

[@loribell3239]

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.

[@couponlover93]

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)

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! I have fun making them and I’m glad you enjoy them

[@susanforet2117]

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!

[@urbanfarmstead]

That’s pretty awesome! Thank you for sharing

[@jimbrown9885]

Probably like crocodile dundee reading the sun for time.

[@craigborgardt6396]

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.

[@cra2cra226]

@@craigborgardt6396 We should be so lucky as to live to 76. That's the current avg lifespan in the U.S.

[@arcanavoresmanavault2637]

I don't understand why anyone would thumbs down this highly informative and concise video.

[@justincentraltexas]

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 KZbin 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 KZbin 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.

[@bentleyj1953]

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.)

[@urbanfarmstead]

Glad it was helpful!

[@im093]

Such good energy, relaxing, informative and fun to watch. Thank you for this ☺

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! I appreciate your feedback

[@justintr4888]

Grabbing a fresh orange off the tree mid-video and devouring it is quite the flex.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Haha, yes 😂

[@codyprice6188]

That's when I hit the sub button

[@bwjtsa]

Yeah I’m jealous too! Lol

[@charlesroberts3910]

That's rude eating in front of us and not offering us one

[@mfj8472]

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. 👍

[@williamwaters4506]

I am surprised how accurate the small store bought tests are to the actual lab test. Thanks.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Yeah, not too bad

[@ginafielders6301]

Thanks for testing with the three tests and the recommendation. Instead of amending the soil, consider looking into regenerative farming. I was introduced via KZbin 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.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you and thank you for your recommendation

[@dwamish]

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).

[@flightycocktails]

Great gardener, premium pruning, firefighter AND the perfect cocktail shake? 😂👍🍸🌿🪴 This is a great channel!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Haha😂 thanks!

[@ruthrenwick3155]

So good to hear a clear articulate explantion..Very interesting thanks a lot

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you

[@johnlee7085]

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.

[@aubreesanders261]

Thank you for the dedication to making this video. Helps a lot, great job

[@urbanfarmstead]

Glad it was helpful!

[@PeterSedesse]

' I went back to the kitchen and found this strainer'... Did every wife cringe when he said that?

[@tomjeffries58]

I was in the pool business for decades. Lamotte test kits are the best there are.

[@urbanfarmstead]

🙌🏼

[@Whissht]

I wish every teacher I had in school was like you, very good teacher

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you

[@carolrose4784]

Just today sent my soil off for testing. Your information was excellent.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Carol Rose awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed my video! Thank you

[@charitymachiela9754]

Thank you for the insertion of the 24-hour wait. Brilliantly done!

[@vloggingrichelmatildo5422]

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..

[@urbanfarmstead]

Richel Matildo that’s awesome! Thank you so much!

[@richardjenkins4140]

Thank you. I also like how you filmed the video.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you

[@savageredland3237]

Thank you for this very educational video, looking forward to see how you amend the soil using these results

[@markwjohnson8844]

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.

[@tlokzz]

You are absolutely entertaining! Great editing as well!!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you!

[@RichardHartnell]

Thanks, as a noob farmer with a little chemistry experience this is exactly the video I was looking for.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Richard Hartnell you’re very welcome. Thank you for that feedback. I’m glad you found my video helpful.

[@con-structsolutions2253]

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…)

[@commitmenttoexcellence]

Wow oranges 🍊 look amazing

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you!

[@ericoriaro4351]

Funny creative teaching God bless you

[@TheFrogfeeder]

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

[@dubbya57]

Job well done. This confirmed what I learned about the LaMotte kit from another video. Thanks.

[@urbanfarmstead]

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!

[@Scaryladyvideos]

Thank you, exactly the info I was looking for and was fun to watch :)

[@urbanfarmstead]

You’re welcome! Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@waldoalcantara3862]

Hey man shouldve watched yours earlier and I would have bought lamotte. Thanks man very clear!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Waldo Alcantara I’m glad you enjoyed my video and found it helpful. You still should buy LaMotte 👍🏼

[@waldoalcantara3862]

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!

[@dollmm23]

Great video. Great information. Great content. Thanks!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you

[@mohamedsalihdafalla7661]

It is great and excellent informative presentation. Thanks

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you

[@loki-ly9xb]

I live in Florida and I have all sand so my test is very easy

[@mike718nyc]

Love the video especially the orange tree wow what a amazing fruit on that tree 🌳 😍 😋

[@LittleBitKooKooButDatsOk]

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.

[@johnhanna2337]

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.

[@maryritelli3495]

Great vlog Just bought the la mount kit. I’m having issues with my beds here in napa. Can’t wait to use it.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Mary Ritelli thank you so much! I’m loving this LaMotte kit!

[@Michael_McMillan]

I fill my beds with the organic compost from the Napa composting facility. Have you tried that?

[@maryritelli3495]

Michael McMillan I will check it out that you.

[@cc3mathews]

So jealous of your orange tree full of fruits! Glad I came across your channel; great and clear info so I subscribed!

[@urbanfarmstead]

I am certainly grateful for it! I’m glad you’re enjoying my videos. Thank you for subscribing!

[@davidhansen4471]

very good thank you

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you

[@sparks6177]

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

[@xXLunatikxXlul]

I wonder if they offer this in Canada.

[@sparks6177]

@@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.

[@Michael_McMillan]

Great video, keep them coming!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Michael McMillan thank you! I certainly will!

[@fioree2532]

Great video bud! Definitely Subbed after seeing how informative you were here💪

[@iva8976]

im not sure how long you do videos but you definitely have more subs! great info thanx

[@urbanfarmstead]

Iv Maz I’m new to this and still learning a lot. Thank you for your support!

[@faizothman1354]

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

[@swamprat9018]

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.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you for sharing your suggestion

[@anadelacruz8058]

Great information, awesome presentation. Thank you!

[@PeterSedesse]

I just want to add that almost every state has free soiling testing through either their Ag department or through one of the state universities.

[@grilljones]

I think it costs $40 in MA unless anyone knows otherwise?

[@Thedisgruntledfarmer]

Highly recommend brookside laboratory out of Ohio.

[@aareefer]

Great and very helpful video

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@teresathomley3703]

"Now let's see how many bananas are in this soil." LMAO. 🤣🤣

[@urbanfarmstead]

😂

[@SethTinzienJohnston]

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!! =)

[@journeywithme8450]

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??

[@foodforestretirement2799]

Thank you for that!

[@urbanfarmstead]

You’re welcome

[@legendaryproductions2034]

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.

[@urbanfarmstead]

I’ve been quite pleased with LaMotte

[@mikrch3935]

Great video. Before I saw your video, I purchased a Yard Mastery test kit. Hope it is somewhat accurate.

[@nofaithrequired859]

Thanks for this video.

[@urbanfarmstead]

You’re welcome

[@LeverActionLarry]

Good stuff! Thanks for the information

[@trishanavarro4887]

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?

[@urbanfarmstead]

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.

[@leeackerson2579]

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.

[@urbanfarmstead]

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

[@urbanfarmstead]

@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.

[@serajacob8278]

Damn interesting topic 😊

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you

[@susank6267]

Terrific video! I'm now a subscriber!

[@foggypatchfarm6048]

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.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Foggy Patch Farm thank you! I’m glad you found it helpful and I think that’s a great plan!

[@Exayevie]

Me: *enjoying the video* Kyle: "Snack time!" Me: Now listen here, show-off...

[@urbanfarmstead]

😂

[@alexissacks883]

Informative and eats oranges like he’s afraid they’re going to be taken away from him 😂

[@urbanfarmstead]

Haha, thanks!

[@kentonhart8959]

Wow that is a beatiful orange tree

[@urbanfarmstead]

Kenton Hart thank you!

[@gilbertocape7854]

I envy your quick fix lab analysis

[@theplinkerslodge6361]

Excellent. I think there is a lot of latitude in matching colors especially because color blindness is greater in males than females. Need to refer to a women on colors.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Yes, that’s an excellent point

[@TheMadNomads]

well done ...thank you!!

[@deschile575]

Great video, just subscribed.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you!

[@robyndurdin6965]

Thank you 🙏 I’m glad I watched this. It’s clear some questions I’ve had for a bit 👍

[@urbanfarmstead]

My pleasure! Im glad you found it helpful. let me know if you have any other questions.

[@LisaJones-br8qm]

Hi Kyle! Very informative video. Thank you! Since I am trying to learn what the numbers on fertilizer mean (by example - 8-14-9 for my African Violets) it would have helped me when you showed the results for phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassum if you mentioned their "number as it is represented on fertilzers. This way, if low on something, it's easier for me to get the associated needed fertilizer. As a whole, you were entertaining, the video moved through fast (so many have you wait while they do the tasks!). Thank you for this. Count me as a follower! You would make a great candidate for the ABC show Farmers....

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you Lisa! I know fertilizer can be confusing so I actually made a full video about fertilizer and fertilizing summer gardens here on my channel

[@HillbillyRednecking]

My local University does free soil tests for state residents!

[@urbanfarmstead]

What state?

[@HillbillyRednecking]

@@urbanfarmstead West Virginia, done by WVU West Virginia University, they’re also my local extension office

[@jcooper1444]

Testing PH with a water solution can be effected by the ph of the water used. I use Lamont for that reason

[@urbanfarmstead]

Yes, definitely

[@honeydew4576]

Moral of the story: the cheaper test kit is accurate enough for most home gardeners.

[@elizabethsansom6447]

Nice job

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thanks!

[@troyb4533]

The issue with the home tests is that they only test for 3 of the essential nutrients. They need to make a home test that tests for all essential nutrients

[@chemi-det]

Great lesson, how can we get the testing kit? can you supply us?

[@joesqudy]

Hi Kyle, where did you Mail your soil for testing please. Love your garden and videos. Thank you for sharing ♥️

[@urbanfarmstead]

Hi, I sent it to a lab in nearby Ranch Cordova

[@Dstromb232]

You should wait 30 to 60 days if you put down fertilizer. 60 days if heavy fertilizer was put down. That will throw off the cheaper tester?

[@urbanfarmstead]

Yes, definitely

[@kroxy6270]

Awesome video!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you!

[@Gtt198]

How can I get that blue pack test kit plz

[@urbanfarmstead]

sajjabi HUSSEN I have a link to it in the description

[@fredblogd8448]

seems every body gets the same results with these tests, do they include an add leaflet for amendments by any chance?

[@robchesley4591]

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.

[@paulbraga4460]

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

[@MIAJANEGIGANTO-t3d]

hello, asking if the intensity of shaking the solution does affect the pH results or is it needed to shake it vigorously?

[@urbanfarmstead]

It’s supposed to be shaken this way and the only effect is greater accuracy

[@oceangaming88]

Where is the follow up to this video?

[@urbanfarmstead]

I have the soil building and summer fertilizing videos on my channel. It’s linked at the end of this video.

[@csn583]

Fancy sciencey gadgets: 4 test tubes and a brush. Easy there Walter White! 😂

[@urbanfarmstead]

😂

[@calisingh7978]

Wow! That’s quiet amazing! Who would have thought you would have a soil baby with African DNA 😅 🧬

[@bonniehoag592]

Who did your professional test kit?

[@urbanfarmstead]

I lab near Sacramento

[@sandiduncan1060]

So how did you amend your soil

[@urbanfarmstead]

I have a full video showing that process. It’s linked at the end of this video.

[@tvs3497]

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.

[@urbanfarmstead]

I use city water because that’s what I’ll be irrigating my garden with. Some people recommend distilled water

[@walpon2424]

Distilled water is recommended for accurate test results.

[@annewhitson403]

You use a lot of water to test. Is it distilled, cause tap water may not be pH neutral.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Yes, thank you

[@concernedcitizen1226]

If you do the at home test how will you know what amendments to add for the crop you're growing?

[@Supanova70]

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?

[@user-hz3eu5in]

Hang on a minute, how did you decide that Yellow is the color in between Orange and Green? Why not in between Orange and Red?

[@urbanfarmstead]

😂

[@user-hz3eu5in]

@@urbanfarmstead OK...thanks.

[@tinaknutsen]

I came across your channel looking to find out how to use the soil test kit that I just bought ( $15.99) The one that you least suggested, will be returning it. Still a bit confused as I have one area just a mix of shrubs ...Hydrangeas, Azaleas, also Hostas and Huecheras. Needing suggestions how to take care of these established plants..(Or what the next step I should be doing) for now I just keep it weeded and fertilize spring and throughout summer with liquid miracle grow but the azaleas look sick and foliage is not lush green. I am in zone 9. Have rocky soil. Will be checking out your blue kit as that sounds like a better deal. Nice demonstration. Will come back and watch since am profound deafness and captions go a little fast and some words not accurate. Hoping to get advice and appreciate your time.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Hi, I’m having trouble finding you question here, so please be a bit more specific and I’ll see if I can help. My advice though would be to ditch the miracle grow and steer clear of those synthetic fertilizers. Switch over to organics and start building your soil structure with compost.

[@tinaknutsen]

@@urbanfarmstead The flower beds with all the shrubs You suggestions is compost on just top or do I blend it into the soil? And does the type of compost matter? I picked up some chicken and Steer manure because I didn’t know what type . Can I use both? I also don’t understand how to read the meter to know if the soil is lacking. I hope I communicate that you understand...I don’t know this area of checking what every thing means, I move here recently with a high maintenance yard that I have never had and whant to know how to keep my plants happy. I am good about weeding it. Do you think the miracle grow Is the reason my azalea looks like hell? The foliage is pale grayish green and they probably 30 years old. I want them to have lustrous green healthy leaves. Thank you again for your time!