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Mn

organic matter 2.3 % rate L
Phosphorus: p1 194 ppm strong bray 1:7 rateVH /p2 195 ppm rate VH 1:7

Potassium 447ppm rate VH
Magnesium 278ppm Rate VH
Calcium 1590ppm rate H
ph 6.9
CEC 11.4 meg/100g
% base SAturation (computed)
%k 10.1
%mg 20.3
% CA 69.6
% H 0.0
Sulfer ppm 19 rateH
zinc DTPA 5.1ppm RAteL
MAnganese DTPA 8ppm Rate L
Iron DTPA 70ppm Rate VH
CU 1.3 ppm Rate H
Boron 0.6ppm rate L
soluble salts 1:1 mmhos/ cm RATE

How sould i interpert these results. What should i add to the soil (ex fert, ca, lime ext..)

1/18/2006 8:35:29 PM

Norton, MA

LOTS O MANURE! Need to get that OM up to around 15% at least. Also, if you follow the old style ratio method: raise the Mg to about 900, and the Ca to about 9,000. Oh yikes. Forget the ratio method. Tremor will help you out. Ph is good. AleX Noel.

1/19/2006 2:36:35 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Alex, does pH level need to be adjusted according to OM level? Peace, Wayne

1/19/2006 8:56:24 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

OM is very low.

The pH & nutrients all look good. If you do add a lot of manure this spring (well aged please) then adding some Gypsum (to leach salts) would be a good idea since it would also keep the Ca up relative to the K (which the manures will raise).

1/19/2006 11:53:43 PM

Montoursville, PA

A lot of manure in this case is four or five inches over all patch surfaces for at least three years. Continue to use lots, of leaves every fall. An alternative would be, to use half that much mushroom compost or a combo, of the two. I have not used Gypsum, in years. I use lots of manures and the salts do rise...but they also fall without the use of gypsum. I do not know about Gypsum except that it also absorbs and holds salts. I do not see the use, of Gypsum discussed much if at all, in the organic soil management advisorys. Some flat out say do not use any. There are mixed opinions, in the gypsum arena. the only advisory to use the product gypsum seems, to be from those that are closer, to the chemical management, of soils.

Perhaps one should think about avaiable and needed levels. As long as the needed levels are met by the available levels there is no concern, for the addition, just to meet a level, of some other content, of the soil. The vast majority if not all the needs will be met, by manures, leaves and cover crop. Mulching is just begining, to be used, by we folks, but it is the next important thing we will learn to do.

1/20/2006 10:38:29 AM

Norton, MA

Wayne, some say it does. I don't think so. The pH likes to be at abot 6.8 for us. A close value is fine. AleX Noel.

1/20/2006 12:11:46 PM

maine USA

What does 1:7 strong bray mean, regarding phosphorus?

1/23/2006 10:59:57 AM

Montoursville, PA

I sent out two soil tests last fall because the first one indicated an organic content far lower than I expected. The PH via that test was 6.2. I sent soil from the same dig and mix, to the same company. Guess what? Same soil I swear! OM 16.5 PH 7.2. And these things are to be used as guidelines. Which one is the one I should trust? The only thing I can guarentee is that it was a properly taken and mixed soil sample....and that I am out seventy bucks that would have bought a heck, of a load, of normal additives.

.....I purposely did not name the firm and will not. Looking at the first report indicated I should toss it as a late Friday afternoon job. The second report fell much more in line with the three previous yearly tests not all, by the same firm.

1/23/2006 6:29:07 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Doc, have you questioned the firm about the differences?...ask for a third test to be done? I certainly would be questioning them if they had that much of my $!!! Peace, Wayne

1/23/2006 7:43:34 PM

Montoursville, PA

Yes I have discussed this with the firm and I have a credit for my spring test.

1/24/2006 1:17:13 PM

Montoursville, PA

That having been said what is to say they will not peek and send me a falls, in line average. Problem solved. Well almost. Ya can't win. These are only guidlines to go by.

1/24/2006 1:21:08 PM