From

Location

Message

Date Posted

porterville, calif.

I see where alot of the growers haul huge amounts of steer manure for their garden beds. I am wondering from so huge amounts will there be a big salt buildup? Thanks Greg

12/30/2002 7:41:06 PM

Deer Park WA

I have never had a negitive reaction or any indication from my soil tests of excessive salt build up. I haul in as much manure and compost as I can in the off season (it's never enough). I think with the huge amount of water we use on these monsters a lot of the salts are washed away. I suppose if you use a lot of green manure you would have salt, and other problems! I recommend 6 month old manure as the freshest, But I haven't grown a 1000 pounder yet either!

12/30/2002 8:35:38 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Aged manures should not pose a chloride threat. Salts leach pretty readily in many soils anyway. But if a soil test ever does happen to show dangerous salt levels, ask the reporting lab for the corrective quantity of gypsum.

Steve

12/30/2002 8:52:55 PM

porterville, calif.

I thought maybe with the huge ammount of water that is needed for these giants it, would leach out what ever salt there might be. But i had this question in the back of my mind for awhile . Thanks

12/30/2002 10:16:47 PM

Caceres, Spain

Actually, the most manure you add to the soil, the less salt level you are going to find in analysis, because it won't go to the water solution. Is advised to add organic matter to reduce salt level in soils with this problem, also gypsum and a lot of water to wash it out, but fresh water (not chlorined) and in off season time. The most of the water we use to irrigate the pumpkins and other vegetables doesn't reduce salt level, but increase it, because we don't irrigate to let the water drain out of the patch, and that water evaporates leaving its salts on the ground. The more you irrigate in summer, the more water you should use in winter to wash the summer accumulated salts. Hopefully rain uses to take care of that task.
Don

12/31/2002 3:49:00 AM

Puyallup, WA

I was told by a soil laboratory that pumpkins are very "salt tolerant". My "soluble salts" level is at 3.6.....that is considered "high". One lab. said anything over 4.0 is "bad news"! Ideal is 1.0 or less!!!!

12/31/2002 10:43:11 AM

Bemidji, MN

I had extremely high salt levels (7.2) in my new plot this past year. It had been a grazing area for cattle for years and our state ag agent said high level was due to years of urine/manure in soil. Recommended that I add no granular ferts this year(granulars are extremely high in salts) and stick to water soluables such as Neptune Harvest. I did as said and had best year ever. My salt level dropped to 6.1 by fall with no cattle on soil anymore. Hopefully it'll dropp more in coming years. Steve

1/2/2003 11:26:24 AM

Caceres, Spain

Hey Steve is fantastic you could grow so big pumpkin (963) in a patch with 7.2 salt level. You have to have a magic master gardener hand, as we use to say here.
Don

1/2/2003 2:18:54 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Green Thumb ....Don ...LOL

1/2/2003 2:55:24 PM

Caceres, Spain

Take notice Dad.........thanks

1/3/2003 2:46:53 AM