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New Berlin, PA

Hi. Last fall I put shredded maple leaves on my patch. Due to a broken collar bone I was lucky just to get them shredded and on the patch. I was not able to get them tilled in.

My question is: They have broken down some, but I still have maybe an inch or two remaining on top of the soil. Should I be concerned about Nitrogen tie up when I till this spring? I currently have 56 ppm nitrate and after spring amendments will be around 80 ppm.

Thanks for any advice!

3/9/2016 9:10:40 AM

Here's a link

http://www.spectrumanalytic.com/support/library/ff/Plant_Nutrients_in_Municipal_Leaves.htm

Here's a quote from another site.
'At higher carbon to nitrogen ratios, nitrogen can be tied as the compost further decomposes. Nitrogen is then less available to plant material, and high levels of nitrogen fertilization are required to maintain optimum plant color and growth. Products with low carbon to nitrogen ratios (less than 20) can supply significant quantities of nitrogen as they decompose."

http://www.ranchomondo.com/compost_-_cn_ratio.htm

3/11/2016 10:03:51 AM

Partlow,Va

I would not worry about it at all. I like N @ about 50 at start of season and go down to 20 I guess. Just got my soil test and mine N is only 2ppm! and the wheat is still looking good. It is usually about 15-20 for me this time of year.
What I'm trying to say is don't go way crazy with N now... for 2 reasons: All too soon you will be throwning Nitrogen loaded stuff in the patch when the plants are there, and by mid June you DON'T want too have high N. or you will grow vine and not tonage!

3/11/2016 11:35:44 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

As the leaves break down in the summer they will release nitrogen. I would be cautious adding too much N unless the plants look yellow and aren't growing well.

3/12/2016 3:24:00 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Great advice, you can always add more N if needed. It'll break down once tilled in. You can always go over it with a mower now too to get the process going.

3/12/2016 5:30:04 PM