From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Iowa (West Coast)

I took a pasture, added 3-4 inches of compost, tilled it and my results look like this:

Soil pH: 7.2
EC: 0.64
OM: 8%
Nitrates: 101
CEC: 19
P: 231
K: 1205
Ca: 3520
Mg: 55

I'm concerned about the K levels. I've worked with hundreds of soil samples but haven't seen levels that high. Will it cause me issues? Not just the K itself, but obviously the cation ratio is not where it should be.
I've added sulfur to pull that pH down a touch but it will take time, also added some BMO, Cu, and Mn... I'm pretty good on micros.
I'm assuming I may not be applying any N this year?

4/2/2026 1:12:07 PM

Grittyville, WA

Manganese might help regulate potassium within the plant. Maybe you can do a tissue test later in the season to see if the high potassium is throwing another nutrient off. I'd be interested in comparing results with you because potassium is high here, too.

4/2/2026 3:49:53 PM

Iowa (West Coast)

My Manganese is low (3 ppm), and so I did add about 1 lb / 1000 sq ft. I may try to throw it some more as plants get started.

4/2/2026 4:50:22 PM

Napa, Ca.

Two seasons ago my K was in the mid 1300s. That year i grew my personal best (1592 lbs) but my other 2 pumpkins blossom end split. Ill be growing in that patch again this year and since then my K has dropped a little to mid 1200s.

4/2/2026 6:03:55 PM