Why TPS Lab Soil and Plant Testing Is Worth Every Penny

Joe Pedroza • May 5, 2025

Understanding the True Value Behind the Price Tag

When shopping for soil, compost, or plant tissue testing, it’s easy to compare labs based on one thing: price. But not all labs—and certainly not all test results—are created equal.


At TPS Lab, we’re often asked, “Why does your testing cost more than others?” It’s a fair question—and one we’re always happy to answer.


In this post, we’ll break down what goes into our pricing, the real value you receive when you choose TPS Lab, and why going with a cheaper lab may cost you more in the long run. Whether you're a PhD researcher, commercial grower, or passionate backyard gardener, you'll get a clearer picture of what you're really getting when you send samples to TPS Lab.


1. More Than Just Numbers: You Get Interpretation, Not Just Data


Most labs deliver raw numbers and leave you guessing. TPS Lab goes further.

Every report comes with expert interpretation grounded in decades of applied research and real-world outcomes. We base our recommendations on proprietary nutrient standards developed from thousands of commercial case studies across a wide range of crops, soil types, climates, and growing systems.

We don’t just tell you your nitrogen level. We tell you what it means—for your crop, in your stage of growth, under your conditions.


2. Proprietary Standards Backed by Real-World Performance


Our nutrient sufficiency ranges aren’t pulled from old textbooks—they’re built from live data, updated regularly based on:

  • Commercial grower feedback
  • Field trials and crop performance
  • Environmental variables like weather and region
  • And decades of experience across all major ag sectors

Whether you're looking at a soil, compost, or plant tissue test, our insights are based on what actually works—not just what "should" work in theory.


3. Consultation Is Included—Always


Every standard test includes personalized consultation with our agronomists and soil scientists. You’ll speak with experts who:

  • Help you understand your results
  • Offer practical next steps
  • Provide insights customized to your crop, soil, and goals

Most labs charge extra for this—if they offer it at all. At TPS Lab, it’s built into the service, because actionable knowledge is what drives results.


4. We Use Advanced Methods Other Labs Abandon for Speed


We don’t follow trends—we follow truth. Take our soil testing, for example:

TPS Lab may be the only lab in the world still using the Daubeny Extraction Method—a powerful, field-validated approach that provides a truer picture of available nutrients than many modern shortcuts.

Most labs abandoned this method in favor of faster, cheaper alternatives. But faster doesn’t mean better. In fact, common extraction methods often sacrifice accuracy and crop-specific relevance.

We believe you deserve more than “good enough.” That’s why we preserve high-integrity methods that help you make better-informed decisions with your land.


5. Compost Testing That Meets the Highest Standards


Our compost analysis services are held to some of the highest technical and reporting standards in the U.S.

TPS Lab is proud to be one of the few laboratories certified by the U.S. Composting Council (USCC) under the Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) program. That means:

  • We follow rigid, standardized protocols for testing compost quality
  • We provide complete, traceable documentation
  • Our results are trusted by landscape architects, municipalities, and compost producers nationwide

Whether you're blending for organic gardens or commercial resale, our compost data gives you confidence—and credibility.


6. Broad Testing Panels—Included as Standard


We believe in delivering complete answers, not just partial data. That’s why our reports cover more nutrients and indicators than most labs include—even in their premium packages.

For example, our plant tissue tests include:

  • Macronutrients: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S
  • Micronutrients: Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B
  • Trace Elements: Mo, Co, Se, Ni, Si (acid soluble)

Our soil and compost analyses also offer expanded panels, depending on the test you choose. And we’re always happy to customize for your needs.


7. Commercial Quality, Home-Grower Friendly


TPS Lab serves commercial growers, universities, compost producers, landscapers, consultants, and high-level research institutions.

But we bring that same professional quality to anyone serious about growing—from large-scale operations to passionate backyard gardeners. If you care about doing it right, we’re here to support you.


8. Fast Turnaround, Real People, Reliable Support


Our team is known for fast turnaround times and responsive customer service. We know that time matters—especially when crops are growing and decisions can’t wait.

Call us, and you’ll talk to someone who knows your sample, understands your system, and wants to help you succeed.


Conclusion: The Cheapest Test Gives You a Number. The Right Test Gives You a Return.


Choosing a lab should never be just about price—it should be about value.

At TPS Lab, we offer more than just numbers on a page. We offer:

 ✅ Interpretation backed by decades of data
✅ Advanced, proprietary testing methods
✅ USCC certification for compost analysis
✅ Personalized consultation
✅ Full-spectrum nutrient panels
✅ Fast, friendly service


If you're ready to stop guessing and start growing smarter, TPS Lab delivers.


Have questions about pricing or which test is right for you? Contact us and we’ll walk you through it.


Ready to test with confidence? Explore our testing packages and experience the TPS Lab difference today.

TPS Lab's Blog

By Joe Pedroza April 30, 2025
As summer sets in across much of the country, crops enter one of the most demanding phases of their life cycle. With increased heat, active fruiting, and water stress, nutrient uptake becomes more unpredictable. Even the most well-fertilized soils may fall short in delivering the right nutrients at the right time. That’s where mid-season plant tissue testing becomes an invaluable tool. Why Soil Tests Alone Aren’t Enough Soil tests provide a vital baseline before planting, helping you understand what's available in the root zone. But as the season progresses, multiple factors can interfere with nutrient uptake: Heat stress and limited moisture reduce nutrient movement in soil, making it harder for roots to access nutrients even when they're present. Soil pH shifts —common as microbial activity changes—can lock up nutrients like phosphorus, zinc, or iron, rendering them unavailable to plants. Plant demand changes rapidly during flowering and fruiting, meaning nutrient requirements evolve faster than soil reserves or slow-release fertilizers can respond. A mid-season tissue test reveals what the plant is actually absorbing, not just what’s in the soil. What Tissue Testing Tells You A tissue test provides a real-time snapshot of the plant’s nutritional status. It helps identify: Early signs of nutrient deficiencies , often before symptoms show up visually. This allows for preventative correction, rather than trying to fix a visible problem too late in the season. Imbalances between key nutrients , such as excess nitrogen suppressing calcium uptake, or low magnesium reducing potassium efficiency. Uptake issues caused by stress , poor irrigation practices, or compacted root zones—especially important in summer when evapotranspiration is high and root efficiency is lower. Tissue testing gives you the insight needed to make targeted nutritional corrections , optimizing fruit set, size, and quality. When and How to Tissue Test For most fruiting crops, ideal sampling windows include: Just before flowering , when nutrient demand is about to spike. Early fruit development , to support strong cell division and prevent blossom-end disorders. Mid-season (peak fruit load) , when nutrient draw is at its highest and deficiencies are most likely to develop. Select healthy, recently matured leaves from a representative section of the field. Avoid leaves with obvious damage, disease, or pest activity. Consistency in sampling location and leaf age is critical for accurate comparisons over time. At TPS Lab, we provide detailed sampling instructions and fast turnaround times, so you can act before yield is compromised. Common Summer Deficiencies to Watch For Even in fertilized fields, these nutrients often fall short under summer stress: Potassium (K): Crucial for water regulation, sugar transport, and fruit development. Deficiencies can cause uneven ripening, poor flavor, and lower yields. Calcium (Ca): Required for cell wall strength and fruit quality. Limited uptake often causes blossom end rot in tomatoes and peppers or tip burn in leafy greens. Magnesium (Mg): A central component of chlorophyll. Magnesium deficiency can lead to interveinal yellowing and poor photosynthesis, especially under intense sunlight. Micronutrients (Boron, Manganese, Zinc): These trace elements play vital roles in pollination, enzyme function, and hormone regulation. Even minor deficiencies can lead to poor fruit set or malformed growth. How to Act on Results Once your results are in, use them to tailor your in-season fertility program. Depending on the crop and severity, this might involve: Adjusting fertigation blends to include more soluble potassium or micronutrients based on test results. Applying foliar sprays for immediate correction, especially for mobile nutrients or in cases where soil uptake is impaired. Incorporating amino acid-based fertilizers or biostimulants to enhance nutrient absorption, increase stress tolerance, and promote balanced growth without risking burn or over-fertilization. TPS Lab consultants can help interpret your report and recommend specific products or strategies—whether that includes our own solutions like Nitro P9 or CSL+ , or broader categories suited to your operation. Stay Proactive, Not Reactive By integrating tissue testing into your summer crop management, you shift from guesswork to precision. Avoid late-season surprises, improve fruit quality, and maximize your ROI with simple mid-season monitoring.  Ready to test? Click here to submit a sample or call us at 956-383-0739 to speak with a consultant.
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