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ABOUT US at HORTIBOTANIC UK |
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We at Hortibotanic UK have
been performing soil testing for gardeners and small growers for over fifteen
years, and have an established reputation, especially with exhibition
growers. We have vast experience in the practicalities of horticulture, a
wide range of reference material, a large plant finder database, and a small,
but well equipped laboratory. We
at Hortibotanic UK have access to all of the current advances in scientific
research and development through our membership of professional
organisations. A professional analytical chemist performs the tests, and
rigorous quality control standards are in place to ensure accuracy of
results. We
are a small family concern, and pride ourselves on the personal service that
this allows. We have dealt with hundreds of soil samples from all over the
UK, and can assure our valued clients a personal, accurate, and reliable
service at an affordable price. |
So don’t just guess! Let
Hortibotanic UK test!
No gardening problem is too
small or trivial to us
Vinca Grown by Richard
Williams Witney Oxon
INTRODUCTION
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In
areas under intense cultivation, nutrients are removed from the soil faster
than the natural soil formation processes can replace them. In the natural
plant community, when plants die they decompose, and the nutrients are
recycled and become available to the plants again. When however a crop is
harvested and removed from the soil, the nutrients absorbed by that plant are
lost. Unless replaced in some other form, the soil becomes poor and
infertile. The
soil analysis is an excellent measure of soil fertility. It is an inexpensive
way of maintaining good plant health, and maximum crop productivity. Soil
fertility fluctuates throughout the growing season. The quantity, and
availability of mineral nutrients are altered by the addition of fertilisers,
manure, compost, mulch and lime or sulphur. In
order to grow satisfactorily, plants require sixteen different
mineral elements. The ones needed in the largest amounts are the macro or
major nutrients; these can be measured by standard soil
analysis. Also
of great importance, and included in the soil analysis, is the measurement of
soil pH. This is a measure of how acidic or alkaline your soil
is, and without a doubt the most important variable to measure. A slightly
acidic to neutral soil, (pH 6.5 – 7.0) is desirable for most horticultural purposes.
At much higher or lower pH levels, certain nutrients become less available to
growing plants, leading to deficiencies. Other nutrients in the soil may
become so soluble that they can be toxic to plants. The
soil analysis takes the guesswork out of fertilisation, and is extremely cost
effective. It not only eliminates the waste of money spent on unnecessary
fertilisers, but also eliminates over usage of fertilisers,
hence protecting the environment. |
© Hortibotanic UK June 2005