FAQ

Excessive nutrients are not likely to pose a significant concern to most generalist plants unless they are so high they are causing salinity. Some phosphorus sensitive plants will suffer from the presence of excessive P. Some Australian natives like Grevillea and Banksia fall into this group. Unfortunately, P is difficult to remove from the soil, and may require specalist horticultural advice, or a change of species to non P sensitive plants. All other excessive nutrients can be reduced by heavy watering. Refer to the factsheet (Link) for signs of toxicity.

When specific application rates are not provided, consult with the retailer and product label for guidance.

No, poisoning by herbicides or other agents requires specialist advice from a soil scientist or horticulturalist. CSC kits should not be used for diagnosing such issues.

No, each pouch is specific to one area. If sampling multiple areas or plant types, multiple kits are required. Combining samples from different areas will not be representative of either area.

Yes, sampling in the rain is fine, just be sure to dry the seal off on the bag before closing and remember to take a raincoat! Recent rain may result in a low nitrogen result, as NO3 will leach out of the soil readily. It is not recommended to sample completely saturated soil so wait a day or two after heavy rain.

It is not recommended to sample saturated soil so wait a couple of days after heavy rain. Samples are dried in the laboratory before analysis so any moisture will be removed before analysis.

CSC kits test soil, not bugs and worms. Put the critters back in their homes so they don't have an unexpected visit to our laboratory.

Including fertiliser in the soil sample is not recommended. Presence of fertilisers will skew the results and overestimate nutrients in the soil. Carefully remove all fertiliser from the sample before submitting so we can show the true nutrient values of your soil.

No. No CSC kit covers contamination. Contamination testing should be sampled and analysed by specialists to ensure the relevant local guidelines are followed.

The best point of contact regarding your results is the retailer that you brought the kit from. The retailer is best positioned to answer your questions and provide advice on products. If you purchased online, you can send your query in at https://www.completesoilcheck.com.au/contact

There is no issue with sampling after fires, however expect some interesting results. Soil exposed to fire will have elevated nutrient and pH levels due to the 'ashbed' effect. While this is not an issue, it is something to keep in mind when reviewing your results and selecting products.

No, potting mixes need a different testing method which isn't offered in CSC.

The base organic pellets have a density of about 2/3 of a kilo per litre. This means 200 grams is very close to 300 mls. So purchase a graduated plastic measuring jug and use 300 mls to obtain 200 grams.

Fertiliser is. Always delivered faster and more efficiently if dug in but it is not useless applied to the surface followed by a good watering. For lawns of course we cannot dig it in and surface application should be followed by watering. Applying mulch after fertilising also helps.