In a world where sustainable agriculture and responsible land stewardship are more vital than ever, SoilApp emerges as a free, easy-to-use digital tool that empowers anyone to assess the health of their soil using reliable scientific standards.
Developed by the team behind NEST (Nature, Environment, Sustainability & Transformation), SoilApp responds to a growing demand for simple digital solutions that support farmers, gardeners, land managers and environmentally conscious citizens in making informed decisions about soil care.
What is SoilApp?
SoilApp is a web-based application that allows users to input basic data from a soil test—such as pH, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels—and choose the type of crop they’re growing. With this information, the app evaluates whether the soil conditions are suitable for that specific crop and provides a clear quality rating along with tailored recommendations for improvement.
Why was SoilApp created?
At NEST, we recognised a common challenge: many small-scale farmers, home growers and land users often lack access to professional agronomic advice or user-friendly tools to interpret soil data. SoilApp was created to fill that gap. It’s designed to be inclusive, intuitive, and grounded in current agricultural science, enabling users to better understand and improve the condition of their soils.
Key benefits for users
- User-friendly interface: No technical background needed—simply enter a few values and get instant results.
- Crop-specific guidance: The app uses thresholds tailored to different crop types, offering practical insights for real-world farming.
- Visual indicators: Colour-coded bars clearly show whether a nutrient is deficient, optimal or excessive.
- Actionable advice: Each diagnosis comes with targeted tips to address identified limitations.
- Downloadable report: Users can export a professional-looking PDF report for reference, grant applications or sharing with advisers.
Designed for everyone, from small farmers to educators
Whether you’re managing a farm, running a school garden, or exploring sustainable agriculture, SoilApp provides reliable information in plain language. It bridges the gap between lab data and real decisions, supporting soil health and better crop outcomes.
A living tool with a future
SoilApp is not a static platform. The NEST team is continuously improving it, adding more crop types, refining thresholds for different soils and climates, and exploring features like geolocation and integration with open soil databases. We’re also working on versions tailored for educational use and citizen science projects.
Why soil health matters
Healthy soils are at the core of food security, climate resilience and biodiversity. Yet, many soils are degraded due to poor management, lack of organic matter and excessive fertilisation. By offering accessible tools like SoilApp, we aim to raise awareness and provide concrete solutions for more sustainable land use.
In summary
SoilApp is more than just a calculator—it’s a decision-making assistant designed to help people care for their land. It brings together science, technology and practical knowledge to promote soil health in a way that’s open, accessible and empowering.
