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Joliet, IL

i am going to have my soil tested in early spring and try
to correct some inbalances before planting time.
my question is with the nitrogen level difference from the
time i test to the time i plant. i added calcium nitrate
to the patch in late december more for calcium reasons than
for the nitrogen. if my soil test in late winter/early
spring shows higher than desirable nitrogen readings, do i
assume that the level will become more desirable by
planting time? also, if the nitrogen level looks good at
the soil test, should i assume that come planting time i
might be a little lighter on the nitrogen as the soil heats
up and ntrogen in the nitratem form gets released? and
ultimately, the most important thing would be my nitrogen
levels at pollinating time to not be excessive for healthy
fruit reasons?

i applied 100 lbs evenly in 2500 sq ft. i know i should
have done more research and asked advice prior to the
application, but i had i great spell of weather and
started to apply it along with 4 inches of mushroom compost
and before i knew it both 50 lb bags were spread.
after doing some recent research, i definately have my
concerns.

any advice is again greatly appreciated.
shazzy

1/20/2005 9:02:00 PM

Ottawa, Ohio

Won't all the chemical nitro leach away with snow and spring rain? We side dress our field corn instead broadcasting at planting so we don't lose the nitro by the time its needed. But I'm no expert..... I also have sandy soil witch is prone to leaching.

1/20/2005 11:28:02 PM

Puyallup, WA

Number 1 Pumpkins do not need alot of nitrogen. The NH growers will tell you that.
Number 2 The calcium is more important than the nitrogen
in that product.
Number 3 Yes, much of the nitrogen will leach out by spring. It is best to apply Cal-Nitrate in the Spring.

1/20/2005 11:51:15 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Most labs don't test for Nitrogen by chemical extraction. Rather if an N quantity is reorted, it is an estimate based on the percent Organic Matter.

Before having the soil tested again, call the lab & speak with them regarding their Nitrogen test protocol. Be sure also to explain what has been applied & when.

In the future, when applying large amounts of Calcium in the fall, reach for a bag of Gypsum. Calcium Nitrate is fine for light early spring N pushes & inseason tweaking. But not a first choice for heavy duty corrections.

1/21/2005 4:30:53 PM