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Central Mi

This year I am going to start using all natural fertilizer,
but I have no idea of what to use,how much and how offten?
I plan on getting a soil test in the spring to help with
some of the soil requirments. Any advice from growers with
some history using natural fertilizers would be great.

Thanks Todd

2/21/2004 4:01:42 AM

Norton, MA

Go to Neptunesharvest.com. Great stuff. And as for a feeding schedule there is a great one in HTGWCGP2. Alex.

2/21/2004 10:03:16 AM

Montoursville, PA

In order for anyone to help you some data is required. Basic to all response is size of your patch. Some general knowledge of your past practices is a must. How much humus is in your soil is very key to help response. What and how much synthetic fertilizers and harsh chemical use did you use in the immediate past. If the biological ballance is suspected to be all messed up you may need a rebuilding program which may include some use of synthetics as you attempt to rebuild...unless you would desire to not grow until recovery appears to be in proper alignment with healthy soil.

Fertrell is a fine into the soil organic and/or healthy patch company. You can search and see where your Fertrell sources may be. Their pricing has always seemed to be fair in my opinion.

AGRO-K is a healthy patch foliar feeding support program to whatever soil conditions. Their representative Craig Lembkle
C & J Products shares on this site frequently.

Fish, kelp and black strap molasses may be purchased as foliar support either to stand alone or to be added to a pumpkin program as developed by AGRO-K.

Review some of these sources. Provide this thread with some of your backgound size and practices. Little by little you will be able to consider source and selection of a program that seems right for you.

2/21/2004 10:36:07 AM

Central Mi

Thanks for your input.
My patch is 100 x 225 with 80% of it new two years ago.
It was a farm feild before that with a rotation of beans
and corn. I brought in about 180 yards of peat over the
past two years. last fall I added 60 yards of cow and horse
manure along with leaves. I believe my organic material is
plenty high. last season I used a synthetic 20-20-20 tilled
in the spring with a foliar 15-30-15 and 18-19-31 the rest
of the season.

2/21/2004 11:30:23 AM

Montoursville, PA

If it were my patch as you have presented it I would go to Craig Lembke and consider the AGRO-K foliar support to the nice healthy patch you have begun to build. I would drop the use of synthetic fertilizers which kill the biological ballance you have worked so hard to create.

I would go to a company like Fertrell and use organic fertilizers and amendments in the soil. It will take you a year or two to work the poison out of your patch but you will be in much better shape when you do. The sooner you do this the less difficulty you will have maintaining a healthy patch.
Your application needs are aproximately 25 lbs. of organic 5-3-4 or lower numbers, 10 pounds of Ironite, Greensand or Azomite per 1000 sq. ft. Your adjustments to a PH of 7.0 area plus additional manures and composts will bring you into the healty patch condition you seek very quickly.

You need fish, kelp and molasses as a foliar in addition to any other consideration you may make.

The fact that the field was in corn may cause you a problem. Some harsh chemicals associated with the growing of corn are not friendly to pumpkins. Increasing your humus, exciting and supporting your soil bacteria to high levels of activity and time are your only route to that healthy stance over or above any corn field chemicals that will be hanging around to haunt you.

Your continued use of synthetic chemistry will kill your bacteria while the bacteia are exactly what you need to doctor your corn field miserys.

2/21/2004 2:15:40 PM

Central Mi

Thanks for all your help.

Todd

2/22/2004 10:40:45 AM