This website is brand new and still very much under construction

Tools

MicroBIOMETER

The MicroBIOMETER is a hand held device that reportedly is able to do many of the tests that Labs do but right there, on site.

There are some who swear by the device and others who say they see no corelation to Lab tests. Does it work? Well it's complicated. If you are only using this device, you appear to be able to track improvements to soil health. But the only study I've seen, where the MicroBIOMETER was compared to various Lab tests, also showed some of the Lab tests differed with each other as well as the device. As far as I'm concerned, the jury is still out.

EVALUATION OF THE MICROBIOMETER®

Soil Tests

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Start with simple Observation Test.

Toss a square or rectangle on the ground. Look at how much cover you have, what you can see on the surface, what insects you can see.

Record location, date and results.

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Do a Separation Test

Grab a jar or clear plastic container. Fill with about 1/3 dirt, 1/3 water and a drop of detergent. Shake well and allow to settle for 24hrs. Guestimate and record date, amounts of sand, silt, clay and organic matter.

Record location, date and results.

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Soil pH

Simple pH kits are available at garden centres and hardware stores. These rely on a sample being dampened by an active liquid and then a powder dusted on top which shows a colour that you compare with the included scale.

Record location, date and results.

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Water Infiltration Test

Get a ring of some sort, 10 to 15cm dia, place firmly on the ground and fill with 25mm of water. Record location, date, time, previous few days weather and if the surface is wet or dry. The water should infiltrate in under 12 mins or you need to increase soil carbon.

Record location, date and results.

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Soil Compaction

Soil should be done when the soil is at field capacity, not when dry.

To compare soils just use a spike. You will push in your spike and then feel resistance. Once your get through the compacted layer, it will become easier again. Do this multiple times in close proximity and eliminate outliers. Average the depth. Do this again in a spot you know has not had traffic and compare.

A better tool to measure the extent and depth of compaction is a pentrometer. Some rely on a hammer and others on a pressure gauge. Ideally you want less than 300psi down to 15cm

Record location, date and results.

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Soil Biology

Dig the soil, what can you see? Could see worms, beetles, earwigs, millipedes, springtails, mites and more.

To see more you will need a microscope. Most people use a brightfeild. With a suitable brightfeild microscope you will be able to see bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes

Record location, date and results.