Science!

Our garden has had its ups and down this season. While at the farm supply store trying to find a solution to our Blossom Rot, the manager pointed out this soil testing kit for just $7.99. What fun! And so many tests to perform!

The kids were super helpful and eager to dig the dirt (from four inches down), put the samples in the test tubes, cut the top off the various testing powders, just add water, shake and let settle, and we now know all about the PH balance of our soil! Umm, now what?

Tests were taken from the watermelon patch (which is also mysteriously growing pumpkin and cantaloupe), the main garden (where the tomatoes are practically exploding on the vine), and the three sisters patch--only the melon sister is looking like she'll make it; our corn crop is ugly, lol :)

We determined our PH balance is good, possibly even a bit alkaline. Our Potash and Phosphorus look pretty good, but our Nitrogen is hurting!! This is a component required for good photosynthesis exchange. How do you get more? POOP! If we can figure out how to get the chickens to poo in the garden without eating any of the stuff we're trying to grow, we'll be golden :) We are also saving Buck's coffee grounds, because they too provide the necessary nitrogen ingredient (without the mess).

Either way, it was a good opportunity for the kids to participate in what pretty much every science class across America will do sooner or later--test for PH balance. I remember doing this when I was in high school; it's so much fun to see the colors shift in the test tube! Like a magic trick--but science-y :) They had to pay attention to ratios, timing instructions, order of ingredients; they had to wait for the stuff to settle, the colors to appear, and then compare them to the included chart. All around, a pretty--patience stretching, but fun--good learning experience. And maybe next year our garden will actually grow! Lol :)