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| I tested my gardening area (appx 650sq ft) and will only be using a portion of the space (prob around 300sq ft). The tests all came back with descent levels. Approximates: Ph- 7.0, Phosphorus- med/high, nitrogen- med, and Potassium was a little high.
Since I will be probably be planting two-three rows of melons, a spot for cucumbers, spot for squash, and maybe a couple peppers (prob potting most), can I get away with not adding anything to my garden? Meaning topsoil with mushroom, compost, etc? There are some small weeds and I was just going to till with a little fertilizer, than start my planting. Covering the areas with Dewitt garden barrier for later weed protection. I'm trying to get away from having to lug bags or wheel barrows of dirt or compost. Will this work? Any recommendations? Thanks in advance!!! |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by idaho_gardener 6a_sw_idaho (My Page) on Wed, May 9, 12 at 23:52
| Yes, you can plant in soil like that and have a good yield. Your soil sounds ideal. |
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| Thanks Idaho. I know that all of the other methods are proven to work, but I start reading and drive myself nuts! I'm going to just try to plant and add fertilizer as needed. |
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- Posted by blazeaglory 10 SZ22 OC Ca (My Page) on Thu, May 10, 12 at 0:07
| Do it to it! OORAH! |
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| Nitrogen is dependant on soil temperature so most soil tests for N are not very reliable. What you need to know about the soils pH is the balance between Calcium and Magnesium, not just that the pH is 7.0. As long as the major nutrients are close to in balance the rest should also be so you should not ned to add anything except possible organic matter. What is the level of organic matter in your soil? |
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| Kimmsr, Thank you for that information. I'm brand new to this so I really have no clue how much organic matter is in there. I haven't put any in. Although it was a garden a few years back some one else may have. If this is what you were referring to? And blazeaglory, Semper Fi |
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| The test should give percent OM, and CEC. If those are low then the high levels of NPK do not guarantee good plant health and production. CEC could be high even with low OM, depending on soil type, in which case you may still get some decent results with no additions. |
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- Posted by fortyonenorth 6b (My Page) on Thu, May 10, 12 at 8:39
| Most soil test are predicated on anticipated yield response. So if you have "high" or "very high" levels of a nutrient, you would not expect much yield response by adding more. In your case, with med or med-high levels, you would likely get some yield increase by using fertilizers. As pnbrown pointed out, there's a lot more to soil health than NPK. How well your crops perform will depend on the overall sufficiency, balance and availability of all your nutrients. |
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| These simple soil tests, 1) Structure. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. A good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top. 2) Drainage. Dig a hole 1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drains� too quickly and needs more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up. 3) Tilth. Take a handful of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a finger that clump should fall apart. 4) Smell. What does your soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria will be and the nicer your soil will smell. 5) Life. How many earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that is not healthy. |
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| Thank you all for the follow up posts. |
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- Posted by tishtoshnm 6/NM (My Page) on Fri, May 11, 12 at 14:36
| I would probably mix some compost or manure into each planting hole and then observe the plants. If the leaves get pale yellow or show other signs of nitrogen deficiency, I would address it then. Sometimes gardening can be as simple or complicated as we want to make it. Good luck. |
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