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Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

We always see people posting there soil test...and asking what to add. When are we going to come up with a spreadsheet for this. I am but a novice with excel but learning rapidly.

1/19/2006 3:30:23 PM

Utah

I'm ok with excel but probably not to hot the with the soil test interpretation... anyway it seems to me like the answer is always ... add more OM. lol !

1/19/2006 5:19:11 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

If some one were to list the desirable levels it would be a start.

1/19/2006 7:01:43 PM

Western NY

As many of you know,I have an extensive database of soil tests. There's no reccomendations, just a frame of reference of what you may want to shoot for. I had been meaning to post a reminder here soon. thanks for the kick in the butt.

Andy

1/19/2006 7:05:07 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

This would be great! If all patches were equal. Saying that I mean that the layer of soil under what we have added and tilled is of different composition. Clay, loam, clay/loam, sandy and all of the other types. The clays would tend to hold the water longer vs. the sandy soil type. Also, amount of rainfall and its pH level vs. well/city water and its pH level would also be a factor throughout the course of the growing season.

But doing a spreadsheet with answers of "what I need for building an ideal soil structure" would be a great start.

1/19/2006 9:11:00 PM

White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Excellent idea Shannon. I've been looking for such a resource for a long time now. Specific numbers. Of course anything put on paper, will be argued by others.

1/20/2006 12:19:53 AM

ENGLAND

Shannon
Yep, great suggestion to have an Excel Spread Sheet for soil tests / analyses. Plus, to have a complete list of all the desirable levels would be an excelent reference.

Andy
Where, in the file that you sent to me, is the frame of reference you mentioned above ? or is it available elsewhere ?

Anyone
I have been looking for an expert in setting up an Excel Spreadsheet with the columns named to my exact needs, anyone out there offering their expertise ?

Regards
Mike

1/20/2006 5:32:23 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Andy, I'd like to speak with you about this before any standards are set.

Check your mail.

Steve

1/20/2006 7:43:20 AM

Western NY

Mike - by frame of reference i just meant that we are able to compare our numbers to several different tests listed where the soil grew a 1000+ pumpkin.

1/20/2006 8:53:58 AM

Utah

Shannon,
I know someone some actual numbers once somewhere.
maybe on a mallorn post ? ... I think from Diana/Vince ?

1/20/2006 12:32:47 PM

San Jose garysand@pacbell.net

Mike you have mail

1/21/2006 2:47:37 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Andy & I spoke on the phone about this & we both have the same reservations. First off, the document would need to contain values that we both agree would be considered subjective by some folks. The best we can do is average the test results of some patches that have consitantly thrown 1000+ lb fruit year over year.

Growers want to enter the data they get on their soil test reports with the anticipation that the corrective additions will then appear. A good software person can probably do this easily enough.

But now comes the need for a corrective action. Since there are so many different sources of every element this document is starting to get very heavy with data & calculations.

We thought perhaps that Excel might be able to do it but there might be better options.

Another thought was to place the interactive program on the web with a link to an existing database.

The concept is do-able. But we need a software or web genius to help pull it off.

1/22/2006 12:31:57 AM

Piqua,Ohio

we also need to make sure everyone knows the proper way to pull a soil sample this makes a huge difference in the readings you get back. again soil test values are an index of availability and do not reflect the total amount of available nutrients in the soil. thus meaning we need to correct ph first and see where this put our readings. ph ties up different nutrients for instance low ph makes phosphourus unavailable to the plant. high ph tend to make your micros more unavailable. excess p decreases zinc uptake zinc function is growth hormones, Manganese regulates nitrate conversion to ammonium and hormones, carbon and p transfer in the plant. copper affects seed formation and yeild chorophyll synthesis protiens dna rna nitrogen metabolism and CALCIUM TRANSLOCATION!! boron cell division flowering pollination and translocation of sugars and root elongation. Iron chorophyll formation and energy transfers. Choride is Ionic balance water regulation disease suppression and enzyme regulation. molybdenum is n fixation and convert n to ammonium you see all of these need to be in balance. maybe we need a soil science school so everyone understands what the test are actually telling us and how it relates to the plant just food for thought!

1/25/2006 11:34:10 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Sam speaks the truth. 90% of the soil test deviations people report are the direct result of the sloppy gathering of soil. The other 10% are perfectly normal anomolies that occur in all gardens.

1/25/2006 10:54:51 PM

No Place Special

Andy and Steve, I think your idea is FANTASTIC! Im sure there are a few capable people here to do the computer work.

2/1/2006 8:14:47 PM