To start,
here is an article posted in the organic library about K in the soil.
Howard recommends using the
Texas Plant and Soil Lab5115 W. Monte Cristo Rd
Edinburg, TX 78541
956-383-0739
ngarcia@tpsl.bizhttp://www.tpsl.bizThis lab actually tests for the levels of these nutrients that are
available to the plants, not just in the soil. This is the blurb that describes what the lab looks for:
Quote:
Have soil tested, by a lab that gives organic recommendations, to learn the total and available levels of organic matter, nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, phosphate, potassium, sodium, chloride, boron, iron, manganese, copper and zinc. Tissue sample tests are important to see what nutrients are being taken up by the plants. Check for life by counting the earthworms in a square foot of soil - should be at least ten.
There are also things you can do that will mitigate the effects of past synthetic fertilization. Look up "soil detox" (
here is one article) in the Library of Organic Information. Zeolite and activated charcoal along with some of the biological products like compost tea (Garrett Juice is a commercial variety if you don't make your own), Thrive, Bio SI, and more.