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Minneapolis, Mn

Question: We are growing early here in the Phoenix desert. Our soil has issues with high salinity. We have added gypsum, and done some soil leaching with heavy waterings. Are there fertilization strategies to eliminate adding more salt to our patches? Is Calcium nitrate salty/detrimental, so should only be used as a foliar? Would it be safe to assume fish/seaweed as the primary source of nutrients would be a low salt approach?

1/27/2015 6:08:51 PM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

Might want to look into a root flush to remove salts like what is used for hydro ... I grow up north were road salt gets plowed onto my kin patch.. I have high salt concentrations in spring... I used to worry about it now I don't bother....

1/27/2015 8:07:35 PM

Torrance, Ca.

I have high salts too like garry and have tried everything before I realized I was spinning my wheels with high salt already in my soil and water.
I've done the growth products drenches to lower salt and after the warm sun hits the patch,,, the sodium just rises to the surface again...
I just deal with it now.

1/27/2015 8:47:20 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

You can try liquid gypsum too (says helps with salt). Here is a link below with product benefits. I use it and regular gypsum to help break down heavy\clay slow draining soils.

http://www.soillogic.com/products/liquid-gypsum

1/27/2015 9:27:34 PM

Minneapolis, Mn

Thanks all....I have pounded with gypsum...and put about 8" of water on the patch this winter,and realize I need to deep water, vs small drip line applications. I have heard Jacks/Peters fertilizers are low salt....is this true? Any feedback about salt from Calcium Nitrate?

1/27/2015 10:56:32 PM

Bethlehem CT

To my understanding all fertilizer will contain salts. (salt is what fertilizer is.) I would try and hook up with someone like Socal and others in Arid climates to see how they deal with salinity.
They say some of the best tasting crops in the world are grown in soils with high salinity. I can say that the best tasting oranges I have ever had were from a friend in Southern California just north of the Mexican border.

1/28/2015 9:38:59 AM

Minneapolis, Mn

Yup, I have a great lemon and orange in my backyard....I can grow in this climate, just trying to adjust my extreme gardening practices for success in the pumpkin arena.

1/28/2015 12:50:22 PM

Waterville, Ohio

SoilBiotics.com
Encourage you to visit Todd Zehr for more information. His contacts are located on the page. 0 Salt based fertilizers with growth system programs. I believe they have dealt with similar environments with some of their accounts.
Their prices are very competitive.

1/28/2015 6:30:48 PM

Omaha, Ne.

just grow popcorn then sell it as all natural flavoring:)

1/28/2015 6:42:13 PM

Torrance, Ca.

lol Darren!

1/28/2015 6:56:55 PM

Arizona

David, I used white out on my soil sample print out 235 ppm. Think the popcorn ideas a Winner!

1/29/2015 1:05:50 AM

Sourthern Utah

hollands sells a product called no salt,, it does help in reducing natural soil salts,, we used a bit that was givin us last last in the little patch,, ,,

2/11/2015 8:30:28 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Mr. Fredricks,,,,,,,,,,, tell him your salt ppm to make him feel better ;)

Fredricks grows the biggest kins in our area under these conditions.

No rain usually = higher salts then we'd like.

2/11/2015 8:49:17 PM

Minneapolis, Mn

(by the way, my sodium level was 610 in one plot and 646 in the other, "soluable salts" 9.2 and 11.5 in the other) "no butter on the popcorn, thanks, I brought some of my garden soil to put on it"

2/24/2015 5:32:51 AM