Testing Soil Ph?

I don't wanna go crazy chasing that magic ph#, but I would like to monitor it just in case I run into problems. Thing is, I'm totally confused
as to what the best method for ph testing of soil is. First (not knowing any better) I bought one of those worthless Ferry-Morse probes.
You could stick one of those things in a fucking lemon and it's gonna read 7.0! Now I've got a digital meter to test run-off, but recently
I've been seeing a lot of people here on RIU saying that's not accurate. Any suggestions or opinions?

and to add to that is there a good one at lowes, home depot or walmart

Why don't you just add dolomite lime to your soil and not worry about it?

I don't pH anything about the plant anymore, not water, nutes, teas, whatever.

About the only thing I use my meter for now, is when I'm doing a batch of AEM.

Wet

rollin in grass said:

and to add to that is there a good one at lowes, home depot or walmart

Click to expand...

I don't think there's much chance of that, I've looked at all of them. Lowe's had the probe and the capsules that
you mix water with, but those suck too. I know there's a way that you can actually mix soil in water and test it
with the digital meters, but I don't know the specifics. Can't seem to find any info on it anywhere except some
scientific shit that's way over my head. Anyone know anything about these?

Wetdog said:

Why don't you just add dolomite lime to your soil and not worry about it?

I don't pH anything about the plant anymore, not water, nutes, teas, whatever.

About the only thing I use my meter for now, is when I'm doing a batch of AEM.

Wet

Click to expand...

Yeah, I added some lime so maybe I'm just making this more difficult than it needs to be.
My water is around 7.5, but when I mix the nutes it drops to as low as 5. So I don't need to
adjust it if there's lime in the soil? Sorry if that's a stupid question, but it's kinda a pain in the
ass to keep fucking with the ph so if that's the case, Imma stop doing it. I feel like I'm causing
more shit than I'm helping sometimes anyway.

btw..I added about 1 tbsp lime per gallon and it's FFOF if that makes a difference.

Well, I use 2tbl/gallon of mix. Actually, 1cup/cf of mix. After the first time, I've never gone without adding to the mix before use.

Anyway, my tap water is ~7.2 as is. If I add the drops for the chloramine and bubble it drops to ~6.8. Teas and EJ nutes range from the 4's to the mid 6's. When ProTekt is used, it can get above 8.

Sometimes, some Jack's Classic is added. Depends on what the plants need, but mostly organic.

Doesn't seem to matter with all these different pH's. A well limed soil and healthy micro herd seems to take it all in stride and keep on keeping on.

YMMV

Wet