I'm just getting into the food plot game, and had a question about meters that I've seen for sale at places like Lowe's or Wal-Mart. Anybody use them and have an opinion? Also, what quantities of lime are people talking about for adjusting soil pH? Is it in the tons per acre? Does the soil need to be turned over after putting the lime down? I've got a great spot for a plot, probably about 1.5 acres with thick cover on 3 sides, not visible from any road. Hunting's over for this year, so I'm getting pumped about making next season even better!

In general, most people feel that meters are not very accurate. It is better to send the sample to a lab and get the results for ph, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. And, they give you recommended application rates. Here in VA it's free for the landowner, so I don't waste my money. Check with your NRCS office for details on soil samples.

MY OPINION: Don't waste you money on a pH meter. Get the soil tested by your soil conservation service or many co-op offer the service. Even if you have to pay, it's not wasting your money. There are quite a few website that offer soil testing.

Your not only taking a chance on a bad pH reading but if you use that reading and it's off (in most cases they measure the pH too high) it can cause a crop failure or at least slow development, making the planting more easily affected by drought, this will be much more frustrating than paying $5-10 for an accurate test.

The other benefit is finding out what type and how much fertilizer to add. Critical, if your soil is low in nutrient content.

In most cases you are talking tons of lime per acre. Remember lime is cheap in most areas if bought by the ton. The number of acres to be limed and how much is needed will affect the cost per ton if you plan on having it delivered and spread. Many co-op loan buggies that will spread the lime of purchased there with the fertilizer.

It's critical to thoroughly disk the lime into the soil. You want to do this as far in advance of the planting as possible to give the lime time to work. I've found adding 50% more lime than recommended to my soil works best.Use ag lime in bulk and after disking I put a light coat of pelleted lime on the soil surface. Usually about 400 pounds per acre.

If your soil is acidic and you don't want to add lime, make sure the seed you choose will grow in your soil's pH. If not get ready for problems.

I tried it years ago, when I wanted to save the lime expense. My plots sucked and it will never happen again.

Lime doesn't cost it pays.

Good Luck

POP