Use a home soil test kit for rough screening

Purchase a home soil test kit (Rapitest/Luster Leaf, MySoil, or similar) that uses chemical color comparators to test pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Mix soil samples with the provided capsules and water, then compare the resulting colors against the included chart.

Why It Works

These kits use the same chemical principles as laboratory tests but at lower precision. They provide a quick directional reading: is a nutrient depleted, deficient, adequate, or surplus? Useful for rough screening and comparing different areas of your garden.

Tips

• Accuracy is limited. South Dakota State Extension found accuracy rates of 33-94% depending on kit and nutrient. University of New Hampshire Extension says most kits are "not reliable" for precise decisions
• pH readings are generally the most accurate result from these kits
• They cannot tell you amendment quantities, test micronutrients, or measure organic matter
• Montana State Extension: "It is better to spend $15 on accurate lab results than base fertilization on erroneous results"
• Best used for education, quick screening, or comparing relative nutrient levels between garden zones