Best soil test for composition values of homegrown EWC

What I'm working towards is using my own VC/EWC as a stand alone fertilizer down the road. A couple of bins are over a year old and nearly pure castings, but all the bins (6 total), use the same bedding and the same feed regimen.

The problem is, I really have no clue as to the NPK values, minerals present and so on. I really need a starting point of where I am now for future amendment additions/feedings.

So, which test would best supply the informatin I'm looking for? Actual amounts or %'s is best rather tha "high", "low" type of answers.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Wet

Being a component of dirt, couldn't it be sent to a soil tester?
If they won't couldn't you cut it 1:1 with sand so it's "soil"?

The soil savvy tests show PPM values for NPK and minerals in the plant available form. I don’t see why you couldn’t send a sample of your castings to have them test it. I thought the results were informative and judging by the issues I’m having, accurate. I ordered two new savvy tests just for this reason. I should get them tomorrow and will report back on the results, probably some time next week. Going to test my castings along with my soil that I’m currently growing in.

Why not ask @waktoo? He seems to be the resident expert in the matter!!!

MustangStudFarm said:

Why not ask @waktoo? He seems to be the resident expert in the matter!!!

Click to expand...

He is and I did.

I'll be using Logan Labs and getting the "Standard Soil Test" and the "Saturated Paste" test, both. They also seem to do something different if you inform them that it's vermicompost rather than a soil or a soil mix.

We'll see how it goes.

Wet

Wetdog said:

He is and I did.

I'll be using Logan Labs and getting the "Standard Soil Test" and the "Saturated Paste" test, both. They also seem to do something different if you inform them that it's vermicompost rather than a soil or a soil mix.

We'll see how it goes.

Wet

Click to expand...

Did he mention the Weighted scoop? If it is lighter than ground soil, it is a good idea... Hell, you should ask for it anyways because it will make the test more accurate. The Mehlich 3 and Saturated paste test will cost about $50 and you will still be guessing at what is actually available to the plant. Are you familiar with base saturation ratios or anything? I got tired of the Mehlich 3 test because it showed that I was high in certain areas but it didn't account for nutrient lock-out. I had no idea that my micros were in such low supply until I started using the "Soil Savvy" test. People hate on it because it is new science, and yes they have a patent on their gel that they use so I do consider it "New Science". The Mehlich 3 test is from 1984 and it does show you what is in your soil, but I wouldn't trust the #'s to be there at the root zone...

Greasemonkeymann got seriously pissed off at me because I started testing my soil and I feel responsible for him leaving. Why would someone get so pissed at me for testing my soil? I just got a bad vibe from it, but he was right about the test being inaccurate. The Mechlich 3 test they will tell you that only 10% of the phosphorus will be available, but that was far from right in my case. I gave up on the Mehlich 3 test!!! Anyways, waktoo seems to have all this under control. Be sure to get your water tested lol

http://www.loganlabs.com/soilless-media.html

If you don't tell them that you want a weighted scoop, they will assume that each scoop is going to weigh 2 grams. It is a generic way for them to save time, maybe it don't matter to the farmers?


Logan Labs uses a 2-gram soil scoop for the standard analysis package, as well as nitrate and ammonium and all extra parameters that are provided on our standard soil report.

When using this scoop to sample a soilless medium, the result will be lighter than two grams. This will cause the concentration of nutrients in your sample to be underestimated.

I think the castings will outperform any NPK content. Just started worm farming less than a year ago and they seem to make more and better castings faster with time. Much more than I will need for my favorite plants.

Sounds interesting. I’ve got a few ewc bins going. One that is fed only banana peels and coffee grounds. Another that is veggies only. And the others are fed with all available forms from comfrey to grass clippings.

kkt3 said:

Sounds interesting. I’ve got a few ewc bins going. One that is fed only banana peels and coffee grounds. Another that is veggies only. And the others are fed with all available forms from comfrey to grass clippings.

Click to expand...

That's really specific. Does it work?

If you mean do they produce ewc, then yes it does. I’ve got a couple watermelon at around 6 weeks into flower. I topdress at 2 and 4 weeks into flower. This time I topdressed one with fresh compost from my outside compost, and the other with ewc from my veggie bin. Wanted to see if any differences showed.

kkt3 said:

If you mean do they produce ewc, then yes it does

Click to expand...

....thanks....
I meant if you had found nutrient differences between the castings.

I planted my watermelons late, mine aren't in flower yet.

kkt3 said:

Sounds interesting. I’ve got a few ewc bins going. One that is fed only banana peels and coffee grounds. Another that is veggies only. And the others are fed with all available forms from comfrey to grass clippings.

Click to expand...

I toss the banana peels in the jugs the grounds are collected in. Gives the grounds a bump start. My main feed is fresh/frozen comfrey leaves and the coffee grounds. I also keep jugs of alfalfa, neem, kelp meal, soy meal, and chicken laying crumbles around for the occasional top dress.

The worms in the raised beds take care of the leaf mulch and grass clippings and other outside stuff.

Wet

Wetdog said:

He is and I did.

I'll be using Logan Labs and getting the "Standard Soil Test" and the "Saturated Paste" test, both. They also seem to do something different if you inform them that it's vermicompost rather than a soil or a soil mix.

We'll see how it goes.

Wet

Click to expand...

Did you ever get your results back?