The only way I know to bring pH down fast is finely powdered sulfur ("flowers of sulfur" or "agricultural sulfur"); At least it isn't very expensive, once you've found it!
>> dependable soil tester
I don't know, but "sending it out" and paying is probably the only way to get really accurate results.
Another approach is to grow things, and see if the "heavy feeders" seem listless or light green to yellow. Only fertilize a few plants that you think are hungry. maybe even just spray their leaves with soluble fertilizer, as a test. If they perk right up, then fertilize the whole bed.
Or ask around at a county cooperative extension office:
search by state:
~~ Coop Extension Finder
AZ:
http://extension.arizona.edu/
Mohave County (Northwest coner)
http://extension.arizona.edu/m...
Since you are starting with store-bought soil with lots of compost, I would think you'd be OK for a few years, as long as you keep feeding it organic mater like compost, mulch, leaves, kitchen scraps or coffee grounds.
10 steps to a successful vegetable garden:
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/g...
Master Gardener Manual
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/g...
(scroll around to find the search button, index or click on the left edge for things like "Vegetable garening" , "soils and fertilization" or "irrigation")
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/g...
Oh, No! Do you have "caliche" soil? No wonder you went straight to a rasied bed and trucked-in soil!
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/g...
Thanks for the acorn: I will try to earn it!
