UNIT 5: Balanced Soil Validation

Objectives
1.  Identify the scientific process to achieve balanced tomato soil validation,
2.  Given three scenarios, identify the completeness of each validation process,
by correctly answering true/false.

Humor
How many graduate students does it take to change a light bulb?   Answer: It depends on the size of the grant.  Ha. Ha.  

This is sometimes true with the science of our gardens. When we have more people to help or more time and money for re-testing then we have a greater chance for scientific success. 

Content
After soil treatment it is important to re-test the soil to verify soil balance.  By not retesting, one can only assume that the soil is balanced.

To be scientifically accurate the re-testing must continue until soil balance is reached.  A conversational analysis of the scientific soil testing process might look like this:

Plant.  (No.)
Test, then plant. (Yes, if the 1st test verifies soil balance.)
Test, add additives, then plant. (No, soil balance has not been verified.)
Test, add additives, test, then plant. (Yes, if the 2nd test verifies soil balance.)
Test, add additives, test, add additives, plant. (No, soil balance has not been verified.)
Test, add additives, test, add additives, test, plant. (Yes, if the 3rd test verifies soil balance.)

Practice
1.  Explain the conversational analysis above.
2.  When should you re-test?

Assessment
On a separate sheet of paper, answer True or False.  Then check your work using the link below.

T    F    1.  Planting without testing soil completes the soil validation process.

T    F    2.  Testing, adding appropriate additives and planting completes the soil validation process.

T    F    3.  Testing, adding appropriate additives, re-testing and planting after validation of soil balances complete the soil validation process.

Link to Answers

References

Proceed to Post-test

Revised December 3, 2001
Copyright Anne Premont