Developing a Soil Test Kit for Extension Programming.

Soil and horticulture Extension programs are enhanced by hands-on and interactive activities. Readily available and inexpensive soil test kits can be useful in Extension programming in the classroom and the field. With the addition of a few extra supplies and tools, a complete kit can be created for Extension educators to use in horticulture and soil  programming for gardeners and professionals.  Five soil test kits from different manufactures were evaluated for both ease of use and accuracy. Kits included tests for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and pH. The kits used for this project are available at many garden centers and online retailers. To expand the kits for use with large groups, inexpensive and readily available materials were added. Additional teaching and soil assessment tools were also evaluated and added to the kit for measuring or demonstrating soil texture, pH, and salinity. By using and evaluating several kits and tools, a set of supplies and protocols was developed that work well in both the classroom and the field.