Soil Testing
Soil Analysis
Our soil analysis services provide a comprehensive understanding of soil chemistry, covering all essential nutrients. While we specialize in analyzing organic potting soil (also known as living soil substrate or soilless growing media), our methods are equally effective for garden soil, agricultural soil, and native soil.
Testing Methods
We employ two advanced analytical techniques for precise insights:
- Strong Acid Extraction (Mehlich 3) – Reveals the long-term nutrient potential of your soil.
- Water Extraction (Saturated Paste Test) – Identifies nutrients that are immediately available to plants.
Using both tests provides a holistic view, particularly for organic potting soil and living soil, and is far more informative than the commonly used 1:5 water extraction test in the UK.
Turnaround Time and Timing Recommendations
The typical turnaround time for soil analysis is 10 working days. To ensure enough time for soil re-amendments, we recommend testing 1–2 weeks before your harvest.
Trusted Laboratory Partners
We work with Logan Labs in the USA, renowned for their accuracy and extensive experience with organic and living soil samples. Additional postage costs apply (details below).
Interpreting Results
If you're unfamiliar with soil test data, we offer an interpretation service. This optional add-on includes a report detailing your soil’s nutrient status, along with specific recommendations to restore balance and optimize soil nutrition. We can provide you with a shopping list of ingredients you need, or make a custom amendment mix specifically for your soil needs!
Why Test?
Living soil techniques are constantly evolving. Without reliable data, achieving consistent, high-quality results, especially when reusing soil, can be challenging. Soil testing allows you to:
- Enhance the quality and consistency of your yields.
- Minimize risks of nutrient imbalances.
- Optimize soil biology for long-term sustainability.
By combining scientific analysis with modern organic growing methods, we empower growers to achieve the best outcomes while maintaining sustainable practices, enabling soil reuse for multiple cycles.
When to Test
For hobby growers with small-scale setups, soil testing may not be cost-effective. However, for serious growers managing larger volumes of soil in pots or beds, testing can prevent under- or over-fertilization and improve soil food web activity for optimal results.
Variables such as water quality, top-dressing frequency, compost applications, growing cycle length, and re-amendment techniques all affect soil fertility and balance. Soil testing helps navigate these complexities, ensuring better results over time.
Submitting Samples
Download step-by-step instructions for taking and submitting your soil samples via this link - Soil Test M3 and Saturated Paste
Postage Costs
There is an additional postage fee for soil samples sent to Logan Labs in the USA. Costs range between £30-£40 for a small parcel, but we share this expense across multiple samples to reduce individual costs.
- Typical costs: £10–£15 per sample (as low as £5 when grouped with other samples).
- For non-urgent submissions, we can hold your sample to share postage costs further.
Contact Us
For more information about our soil analysis services or to discuss your specific needs, reach out to us at info@ecothrive.co.uk.
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