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Soil test - results look bad
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Posted by
springleaves 10 (
My Page) on
Sun, Jun 17, 12 at 2:49
| I just received the results of my soil test. I just have the numbers for now. The recommendations are forthcoming when the administrator returns from vacation.
Here are the numbers:
pH: 7.5
P: 9.7 ppm (Normal range: 50 - 85 ppm)
K: 220 ppm (Normal range: 200 - 400 ppm)
Ca: 8088 ppm (normal range: 3000 - 4000 ppm)
Mg: 3388 ppm (normal range: 600 - 800 ppm)
The P and K need a boost, but the Ca and Mg are high, actually way, way off the chart. What to do?
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Soil test - results look bad
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- Posted by glib 5.5 (My Page) on
Sun, Jun 17, 12 at 8:32
| Very similar to my soil (the clay one in the orchard). Some vegetables love your stuff, including all brassica, cardoon, beet, chard, celery, asparagus. And all that Mg will make your greens extra nutritious. Toms, melons and potatoes will be less productive but if you can add sulfur, they too will eventually produce well. First, you will need a little extra P. Get a bag and spread it, about 1lb/100 sqft. The next step is trickier. If you have no free lime, you can add some sulfur and take the pH down to 7.0 or 6.5. To find out if you have any take a dried lump of soil, pulverize it, put in a bowl, cover with vinegar. If it does not bubble, add about 1 lb/100 sqft to the soil to get it down to about 7.0. It will take months for the pH to reach its new level. If it bubbles, you are stuck with your pH and will have to see what works. Otherwise just follow regular wisdom and load up on organic matter. |
RE: Soil test - results look bad
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| tomatos and peppers will love the mag and cal. you shouldnt have a problem with blossom end rot. sulfur lowers ph. |
RE: Soil test - results look bad
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- Posted by glib 5.5 (My Page) on
Sun, Jun 17, 12 at 11:05
| that is right, sulfur is to lower the pH, and make conditions more hospitable for plants (such as tomatoes) which do not like it too alkaline. Such high Ca and Mg create chemical unbalances, and make it harder for some plants. That is why the soil test says "above optimum". I suggested 1lb/100 sqft of P2O5, not straight P. |
RE: Soil test - results look bad
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| It all leads back to compost IALBTC |
RE: Soil test - results look bad
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| what did you do to get such high cal and mg numbers. sounds like you have a high salt water content in you potable water system |
RE: Soil test - results look bad
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| Was this soil test performed on your native soil or did you amend a garden with some bagged garden soil and compost? Just curious! |
RE: Soil test - results look bad
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| With the pH and calcium content it sounds like a South-West desert soil...salt contents may vary. If it is a native soil you might want to find a way to get some organic matter in there unless you're planting stuff adapted to grow in poor soil. Taking care of the pH is the first step, though. |
RE: Soil test - results look bad
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| Thanks everyone. Obviously, I have a lot to do and I will follow the recommendations all of you have offered. I kind of knew the soil test numbers would be bad, but it's actually a little weird as well with the Ca and Mag off the charts. steven1032 & Deborah-SC - This is native soil. It was once a hilly area, which was cut and graded to build my subdivision. I am about 2 miles away from the Pacific Ocean right now, but it was probably under water long ago. Since 1984, nothing at all, except weeds, has been grown in this portion of the backyard. My husband continually sprayed Roundup in this area. Now, I am turning the backyard into "a slice of Sorrento" garden. Part of the plan is to grow a row of lemon and other citrus trees starting November. Italian Cypress and grass comes next. I have from now until then to amend this soil until I transplant all the trees into this area. They are now growing in pots. The opposite end of the backyard will be a small patch reserved for a delicious banana tree and puakenikeni (fragrant tree with flowers for lei-making ). Gonna be busy! Starting tomorrow already.
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RE: Soil test - results look bad
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| I live on top of a hill in southwest Ks. In 45 years of trying, I have been able to lower the PH from 8.2 to 7.5. I make compost, and add sulpher every year.We also have alkaline water. When I have to start watering in the spring, its not long before certain plants start to show their iron deficiency. Very discouraging, but still I try. |
RE: Soil test - results look bad
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| have you thought about raised garden beds? |
RE: Soil test - results look bad
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| steven - Yes, because my soil is full of pebbles and rocks of ALL sizes, I have considered it. My immediate plan is to hire some gardeners for the day to clear away the rocks and dig a trench for me so I may add compost and the other necessary amendments. I'm targeting November to start planting a row of various citrus trees and another row of Italian Cypress. I've got my work cut out for me. I grow vegetables in containers and it's working beautifully . . . except for a leaf miner problem that I am trying to solve. |
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