The labs do a fine job of testing soil to give the % of organic matter by weight. But I would appreciate knowing if there is a quicker way to get even just an approximation of % SOM so I could make decisions in less trhan two weeks it takes to get sample back from lab. Thanks.
You could take a soil sample and place it in a clear glass jar with some water and shake well. Let the soil settle and you'll be able to distinguish layers as the sand/grit, loam and silt/clay settle. That would give you an idea of your soil texture. I would expect that the organic matter is not heavy like sand and I would expect that you would recognize clay soil. I would expect that it would take less than two weeks for the soil to settle I found an interesting website that I'll return to read. The webpage is Soil Organic Matter by the Department of Primary Industries and Water. That explains soil. http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/TPRY-5YW6YZ?open
Thanks, Growing4it. I have used this trick with ther glass jars and while I find it is good for soil texture I have trouble relating it to soil organic needs, which are usually stated as % by weight. Does color of soil play a part, do you think?
