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Alabama

    
western laboratories cost 46 dollars http://www.westernlaboratories.com/Soil/Garden/fees.htm

Eastern laboratories only cost 15 dollars http://al-labs-eastern.com/agricultural.html

is there any thing special about western laboratories over Eastern laboratories?

9/15/2010 7:37:44 PM

Hot West Tennessee

There is one near me in Memphis TN . Same thing may be cheaper shipping for you. http://www.al-labs.com/analytical_services/analytical_agri.htm

9/15/2010 10:58:16 PM

ExtremeVegetables.com

OVGPG recommends Western labs.
Western has been working for the last few years with several pumpkin growers to develop specific nutrient recommendations tailored to growing giant pumpkins.

I believe that last years World record was grown using soil and tissue testing along with their recommendations.

9/16/2010 7:26:09 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Western seems to have better more robust recommendations plus better graphical display of levels but for $30 more forget it. If you understand what PPM stands for and know what the proper ratios should be Eastern gives you what's important.

9/16/2010 12:53:46 PM

ExtremeVegetables.com

Just a heads up. This is a quote a friend posted as a warning to me:

"I read that you are using A&L Eastern Laboratories..... although I dont have any experience with them, I did Use A&L in Tennessee one year to save 15 dollars...
Let me start by saying that I have an idea where my soil is going to be after testing twice a year fer 4 years....
I got my results back and they were so ridiculus that I knew there was a major error, I called for 3 days before I got a response from the Agronomist, he said "oh yeah, a few people have complained about there test being wrong" never offered to retest or fix it.
Screw that.....I had it tested where I had always had it tested...A&L western.
If I would have amended according to that lab my soil would have been screwed up for years.
for something as important as soil you want to make sure you get the best, most of the big boys with the exception of RI use A&L western.
My father taught me a long time ago.....Ya only get what you pay for.

What ever you do you want to stick with one lab in order for your results to be more accurate, each lab has their own equipment that is calebrated a little different or their agronomist that may decipher the results a little different, maybe not that familiar with the needs of giant pumpkins, maybe he has more experience with potato crops."

9/17/2010 6:27:54 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Western should only be approx 32.00 for a full test with recomendations and a graphical output.
Duane, Thanks for the post, I know that guy personally.

9/17/2010 8:27:14 AM

Cedar Lake, IN.

I use A&L GREAT LAKES LABORATORIES,INC.out of Fort Wayne Indiana. Does anyone have any input on them? Good or bad.

9/17/2010 9:45:30 AM

East Jordan, MI

very interesting...
I used A&L GREAT LAKES LABORATORIES,INC.out of Fort Wayne Indiana. I ASSumed, that A&L Labs were the same...You know what they say about assuming. Think I will send a sample to A&L Western and see how they differ...

Thanks for the post Duane!

9/17/2010 9:53:58 PM

ExtremeVegetables.com

Please don't confuse A&L Western with Western laboratories, they are two seperate entities.

Specifically, Western labs has been working with several "Heavy Hitters" over the past few years, helping them "dial in" their soil to push these fruit to their limits. These growers have been sending soil and tissue samples in @ every two weeks during the season and making the necessary recommended adjustments.
I am pretty certain that the Harp's used these services last season. Not only did the World's largest pumpkin come from that patch but so did the fourth largest tomato ever recorded in the World.
Need I say more? LOL

9/18/2010 7:37:18 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Good point Duane, I was referencing A&L Western labs in Modesto California.
Tom

9/18/2010 11:35:49 AM