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Lexington, Ky

I came across some really odd soil this weekend while metal detecting around an old iron furnace. It's the "waste" material from the furnance. My guess is the darkness was created from the charcoal of the wood that was burned to heat the iron ore. This huge pile of waste is over 150 years old so there are no chunks of charcoal, it has broken down over the years. Also a decent amount of sand exsists due to the ore being embedded in sandstone. It has an awesome earthy smell too it and holds moisture very well.

My concern would be the iron content. My detector went crazy. I took a sample and removed all of the rocks and my detector returned to normal but I gotta think there's a decent amount of iron content in it. Any opinions on if this will make good giant pumpkin soil? Obviously I will be sending a sample off for analysis but I would like to hear some opinions while waiting for the results.....

1/10/2005 12:47:16 PM

Nova Scotia

hi i would get a soil test done
Jeff

1/10/2005 2:06:18 PM

Follansbee, Wv

I guess the first question should be: Was anything growing on it? If it has been there for 150 years, and is good soil, it should be covered with plant life. On the other hand, if only a few hearty weeds have taken root there, it probably isn't worth hauling to the patch. Might be interesting to have it analyzed, perhaps it would make a good supplement?

1/10/2005 2:15:13 PM

Lexington, Ky

Good point Monty, just a few weeds but the location is completely shaded by a thick canopy of both mature trees and new growth (the trees are growing out of the pile of soil). Little sunlight hitting this spot but like you, I have my doubts that it will grow anything.

1/10/2005 2:40:11 PM

Puyallup, WA

This seems simple....Take some soil home and try to start some radish seeds indoors. :>) If you have an extra pumpkin seed, start that as well and then examine the root ball.

1/10/2005 5:02:58 PM

[email protected]

Beans are fast too if immediate gratification helps.

If significant iron residue is present I would suspect that other micronutrients will be permanently out of whack.

1/10/2005 5:48:48 PM

The soil in the Holland Marsh is black. At least right now. It gets lighter the dryer it gets. It is an organic soil or muck as its called. Very cool. Rich in nutrients!

You should try to get some free seeds that are decent or a cheaper seed and just use it as an expirament plant to test the soil. Maybe it will good. If its not than you don't lose your prize or expensive plant. Good Luck

1/10/2005 7:50:45 PM

Lexington, Ky

Will do, thanks to all.

1/11/2005 9:10:11 AM