Garden Testing Services

This page will help you choose and order your soil and plant tissue tests. You can also find information on Collecting Soil Samples, Collecting Plant Samples and Sending Samples to us.

Soil Tests:

If you would like more information about the various soil report versions, how to read the reports and so on, you can print or download a series of helpful Fact Sheets or, if you prefer, you can also go to our Garden FAQs page. At the bottom of this page you can see details of the PayPal ordering process. To print or download an example report, click on the name of the report version you want for either the Standard (below) or the Complete Garden Soil Test.

In Australia we use metric measurements, but if you prefer imperial units, simply multiply the figures in g/sq.m by 0.03 to convert them into oz/sq.yd. For larger Public Gardens, multiply the recommendations by 10 if you want them as kg/ha and then by 0.89 to give lb/acre.

Standard Garden Soil Test

Ideal for improving problem soils.

$115.00 per sample

This test comprises 25 laboratory tests and 13 calculations, presented in an easy-to-read 4-page report with full-color graphs and four sets of recommendations covering soil friability and plant nutrition for each of three plant groups in one of the report versions below. The three report versions and their default plant groups are:

• Vegetables, with recommendations for Leaf, Root and Fruiting vegetables
• Fruit, with recommendations for Home fruit, Stone fruit, Berries
• Ornamentals, with recommendations for Lawn, Trees & Shrubs, Flower beds

The price of the test includes one of these report versions. If you want more than one report version, you can order these as Additional Reports (below).

To order a soil test, Select one of the report versions and then, if you have a Specific Plant you want to know about, type its name in the box underneath. You can specify one plant for each report version, or two plants for each additional report of the same version.

For example, you may want the Vegetables report, but you are particularly interested in growing Tomatoes. In this case you would select "vegetables" and type "Tomato" underneath. There is no extra charge for this. Then click the "Add to Cart" button.

Then, lets say you also wanted to also specify Asparagus and Pumpkin , you would need to order an Additional Report. In this case use the button below; click "vegetables" again and type "asparagus, pumpkin" underneath. Then click "Add to Cart".

Additional Soil test reports

$10.00 each

After ordering your test (above), if you require one or other of the two remaining report versions for the same sample:

• First select one of the report types and click "Add to Cart".
• Afterward (if you would like the third version as well), return to this page and repeat the process.
• Each additional report costs $10.

Additional reports can also be used if you want recommendations for Specific Plants as described above.

NB. Each report must include at least one of the default groups.

Once you have finished, you can click the "View Basket" button to check and (if necessary) correct the details.

Complete Soil Balance Test

Ideal for Organic or Biodynamic gardens.

$365.00 per sample

This test includes 33 laboratory tests, 18 calculations and 3 sets of recommendations covering soil friability, plant nutrition and soil biology in a 9-page color report with full color graphs and five sets of recommendations covering soil friability, plant nutrition for each of three plant groups in one of the report versions below, and Soil Biology. The three report versions and their default plant groups are:

• Vegetables, with recommendations for Leaf, Root and Fruiting vegetables
• Fruit, with recommendations for Home fruit, Stone fruit, Berries
• Ornamentals, with recommendations for Lawn, Trees & Shrubs, Flower beds

The price of the test includes one of these report versions. If you want more than one report version, you can order these as Additional Reports (below).

To order a soil test, Select one of the report versions and then, if you have a Specific Plant you want to know about, type its name in the box underneath. You can specify one plant for each report version, or two plants for each additional report of the same version.

For example, you may want the Vegetables report, but you are particularly interested in growing Tomatoes. In this case you would select "vegetables" and type "Tomato" underneath. There is no extra charge for this. Then click the "Add to Cart" button.

Then, lets say you also wanted to also specify Asparagus and Pumpkin , you would need to order an Additional Report. In this case use the button below; click "vegetables" again and type "asparagus, pumpkin" underneath. Then click "Add to Cart".

Additional Soil test reports

$10.00 each

After ordering your test (above), if you require one or other of the two remaining report versions for the same sample:

• First select one of the report types and click "Add to Cart".
• Afterward (if you would like the third version as well), return to this page and repeat the process.
• Each additional report costs $10.

Additional reports can also be used if you want recommendations for Specific Plants as described above.

NB. Each report must include at least one of the default groups.

Once you have finished, you can click the "View Basket" button to check and (if necessary) correct the details.

Plant Tissue tests:

Scroll down to see details of the ordering process. To see an example report, click on the test name. For instructions on the best method for collecting Plant Tissue samples, Click Here.

Standard Plant Tissue Test

Ideal for diagnosis of nutrient deficiencies.

$110.00 per sample

This test includes 13 essential nutrients determined by wet digestion (not ashing), plus desirable levels for each nutrient and a table of calculated excesses and deficiencies.

It also includes a guide to nutrient imbalances with a color graph of nutrient levels for quick assessment of any problems. All this is presented in a 3 page, easy-to-read report.

Simply type in the name of the plant to be tested (eg. "Lettuce") and click the "Add to Cart" Button (see below for details of the ordering process that follows).

Choosing the right Soil test

When most people hear the words "Soil Test", the immediately think "Fertilizer". We have become conditioned to believe that all we require for optimum productivity is good plant nutrition. This is certainly very important, but it is not ALL we need.

SWEP Analytical Services are used in a wide variety of situations, major applications include Organic and Biodynamic production as well as other forms of Biological and Sustainable Farming, Land Reclamation, Environmental Remediation and Protection of Soil Biodiversity.

The key to achieving the best results from any of our soil tests is to remember that we treat soil as a Living System comprised of three components - Structure, Nutrients and Biology - according to the Mikhail System that provides a reliable stepwise strategy for soil improvement:

1. Cations First: Applying the appropriate amounts of Lime, Dolomite &/or Gypsum will help improve the physical environment in the soil. With good structure and friability, the soil will be more tolerant of cultivation; it will retain moisture, but drain more easily and remain well aerated; it will provide better access to roots and availability of the nutrients they need. However, both time and moisture are needed for these changes to occur, so after this step it is important to wait and then...
2. Apply Nutrients 3 to 6 Months Later: With proper soil function, you can now look at providing Balanced Plant Nutrition. That is, meeting the requirements for all essential nutrients, as they are required throughout the period of the growing season. Of course, whenever we apply anything to the soil, irrigate, cultivate, plant or harvest, we impose some degree of disturbance to the biological community. So the next step is:
3. Stimulate Biology after every disturbance: Following these activities with the appropriate stimulants such as Kelp extracts or Fish Emulsions will help minimize this disturbance Naturally enough, the trick is knowing the appropriate things to use. After this, all that remains is to:
4. Monitor and Fine-tune: This is the part most people overlook. There will always be changes that occur over time and maintaining the health of the soil and the garden it supports will require us to be aware of any such change and respond to them appropriately.
    

So which is the best test to choose? The following notes should help you.

Standard Garden Soil test

This is by far the most popular and widely used of the SWEP soil tests. It covers both exchangeable cations and essential plant nutrients and so is valuable for general garden planning and development, where a once-a-year soil test forms the basis for programming of both soil management and fertilizer inputs.

Examples of main situations in which the Standard Soil Balance Analysis can be used include:

• Condition assessments prior to purchasing a property
• Planning and developing a new garden
• Rejuvenating an older garden
• Ensuring the highest possible quality from garden produce

Complete Garden Soil test

This test package represents the sum of 45 years research into soil function and management and covers all three functional components of The Mikhail System - Structure, Nutrition and Biology.

Its main use is in situations where Complete management of Soil Health is required. Once complete soil balance has been achieved, the sensitivity of soil biology to any disturbance makes this test valuable in monitoring changes that occur over time for effective maintenance of soil balance.
 

The results and recommendations are organized into each of the three Soil Balance components - Structure, Nutrients and Biology to make the report easy and straightforward to use.
 

Three sets of recommendations are provided:
 

• Cation Balance corrections to optimize soil structure and other physical attributes.
• Balanced plant nutrition relative to the needs of the plants and what is presently available in the soil.
• Balanced Soil Biology, using various bio-active materials (eg. Humate, Kelp extract, Fish emulsion, etc.) to help manage the relative proportions of five key Indicator Groups.

Secure Ordering via PayPal:

After clicking on one of the Add to Basket buttons you will be directed to the PayPal site and a simple 5-step process:

Step 1: Purchase details. The details of your purchase will appear in a new window. Here you have two choices - either proceed with the payment process or (if you want to add more items) continue to select other tests or optional items.

Step 2: Payment method. Once you are ready to proceed you can either use a PayPal account, or your credit card details.

Step 3: Your details. Here you will be asked for your postal address details (the place you want us to send the test report) and either your credit card or PayPal account details (depending on your choice in step 2). It is important to complete all details.

Step 4: Review details. Here you can check the details you have entered and make corrections if necessary. Once you click Continue, you will be returned to the SWEP website.

Step 5: Confirmation email. You will receive notification of your purchase details by email.

Important: Please print a copy of your email notification from PayPal and enclose it with the sample(s) as proof of purchase.