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Florence, Vermont

Well my season is over for growing I live in central Vermont and we receive a killer frost on 9/5/00 which took down my plant with a 365lb. tape measured we were hopeing for 400lb by 9/12/00. But the weather man said lows in the mid 40's for that night, yea I should know not to beleive them. My question for anyone is testing the pH of soil how to? I work in a lab and have a pH meter available just was wonder how you measure the soil. thank Woody. By the way got our But kicked in the Vermont state fair by a mid 700lb pumpkin looks to be the bigest in Vermont to date. Contralulations to the Bresniks from Pittsford VT

9/7/2000 11:34:56 AM

Commack, NY

never used a ph meter from a lab, but if you get one of those store bought kits, it's really really easy. just add soil, distilled water (or regular tap) add the capsule that comes with it, shake it up for about a minute then let sit and compare to the chart. you're looking for something in the 6.8 range, although big ones have been grown in higher, and lower ph's, it's just an average
scott

9/7/2000 12:04:15 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

Woody: sorry to hear about the frost, but i never listen to the weathermen when it comes to frost!! they have failed to predict it here (in my area) for years, i can usually expect the first frost where i live (northernMass) around Sept 23 just keep an eye on the dewpoint, you need a hygrometer or just check the local weather reporting station if the dewpoint is around the mid 30's or lower then look out clear skies and a windless nite combined with a low dewpoint will usuall bring frost, also if you in a low area such as a valley then chances are better for frost, as for the PH testing make sure the water is distilled i have used straight tap water and it has given me false off the chart readings, whatever is in the water causes this? i have measured the PH of my water straight from the tap and got a high Aklaline reading, UMass Amherst has a nice soil testing lab and will test your PH for a couple of bucks a more complete soil test is around $12.00
Good luck
Glenn Peters

9/8/2000 10:27:31 AM

ohio

wOODY, THERE IS A WAY TO USE YOUR P.H. METER FROM WORK BUT I HAVE THAT INFO. AT WORK. I CAN SEND IT TO YOU NEXT WEEK. BIGEN'

9/8/2000 2:56:28 PM

Florence, Vermont

bigen I would appreciate it thanks.Well it would figure we are now in the 80's and hot great growing weather.

9/8/2000 8:56:21 PM