Has any done a soil test pit?

[Gromit]

Hiya all just started my Horticultural foundation degree and for the science aspect of the course we have to dig a soil test pit. I haven't done one before and the lecturer isn't being forthright about telling us how to do one ether.

I know that they have to be 1 meter deep and large enough for us to get in to see the soil horizons. We also have to take soil samples but I haven't got a clue where from. I would be grateful for any help.

 

[zacklaws]

Despite being a gardner myself and know really naff all about it when it boils down to it, I would have thought the simplest thing to do and is what I would do myself, and is what I do when I want to find something out is do a search for "Soil pit test" on the internet itself, like I myself have just done and lo and behold it brings up loads of information.

Apologies if I sound sarcastic, but I've just finished my night shift and saw enough of the countryside yesterday when I left the road on my new bike and saw the grass from many angles, and big holes in the ground, along with bushes, especially hawthorn bushes all determined to exterminate my existence on this tiny planet as I ploughed through it all. Hence at this moment in time Gods little green and pleasant countryside is not my favourite topic at the moment.

Off out for a ride in a few minutes to see if I can regain my confidence back a bit as I am still a bit shook up with what had happened and try and put it behind me.

Oh and please when you dig your pit please make sure you do not dig it on the outside of a bend at the bottom of a steep hill waiting for a plonker like me who likes to go down hills at excessive speed to crash into like someone had done where I came off. It may only have been a drainage channel from the road but it sure scared me cackless as I flew across it and hit the other side.

Oh and as I see you come from York are you up for the ride on Sunday, so I can bore you with how to crash with a bit of style and I'll listen how to dig holes.

 

[summerdays]

I wish I could help but its 20 years since I had to dig one (on the Mendips if I remember correctly). Would you not have to take samples at different levels where you could see marked changes between the layers? (Not much help am I)

 

[Dayvo]

Apart from enjoying digging holes, I know nothing more about them!

But maybe this might help:

http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/ww/ST/ExplanationofSoilTestPitLogFormsrev2-09.pdf

Otherwise do a google search.

Good luck and happy digging!

 

[vernon]

Hiya all just started my Horticultural foundation degree and for the science aspect of the course we have to dig a soil test pit. I haven't done one before and the lecturer isn't being forthright about telling us how to do one ether.

I know that they have to be 1 meter deep and large enough for us to get in to see the soil horizons. We also have to take soil samples but I haven't got a clue where from. I would be grateful for any help.

My more temperate response is here I hope that you find it useful.

 

[jimboalee]

Are you going to plant a bicycle tree?

 

[accountantpete]

You can get misleading results with a sample of soil from one place.One lady I know had an analysis of her soil done by the RHS - they instructed her to get a sample from several parts of the garden,then mix it up and send a small sample to them.

They then produced a report on the nature of her soil together with recommendations.

 

[XmisterIS]

I've just soiled myself.

 

[Dayvo]

I've just soiled myself.

Ironically I just did. Kind of! Didn't wipe me bum properly! FF 20 mins and I find out! Threw the pants away and showered for 10 mins!

 

[wafflycat]

Get thee to an academic library and get a hold of a book such as 'Fundementals of the Physical Environment' by Briggs, Smithson, Addison & Atkinson. There's a large amount devoted to all you can possibly want to know about soil properties, soil formation, profiles etc., etc.

I have the second edition of said book at home, but there's probably a more recent edition available I would think. Indeed it would seem that there is..

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fundamental...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256040274&sr=8-1

 

[peanut]

not sure that we should be doing your homework for you

 

[Rhythm Thief]

It's a long time since I did site investigation work (we had a JCB to dig our trial pits for us), but as far as I remember, you need to take samples from eash strata of the soil. And there's a difference between "sandy silt" and "silty sand".

 

[Arch]

It's a long time since I did site investigation work (we had a JCB to dig our trial pits for us), but as far as I remember, you need to take samples from eash strata of the soil. And there's a difference between "sandy silt" and "silty sand".

Of course there is, and as an archaeology graduate, Gromit should remember that. Get out your Munsell chart (also good for estimating strength of tea).

I assume the soil sampling would be similar to an archaeological test pit. Dig a hole and take samples from the side at the different levels. When I worked up in Burdale we just scooped out samples from different points into bags with our trowels, if you're not looking for chronological sequences then you don't need a kubiana tin.

 

[zacklaws]

Did'nt know you was an an archaeologist Arch, clue must be in your title I suppose and never twigged. Many years ago it was one of my favourite interests but slowly forgot about it over the years.

 

[Gromit]

Thanks wafflycat, will go out and get that book.

Arch I don't ever remember digging a 1m by 1m test pit in Archaeology! I don't even recall testing any soils. Did I miss that bit?

Anyway the hole is half way there, It's been a slow tedious process due to the compaction of the soil. I remember something called "dead pan", was wondering if I could describe it like that?

The soil is Triassic sand stone and has some flint in it, so you get lovely sparks when you hit it.

Hopefully will be able to finish the pit in 2 hours tomorrow.