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Deal With It

I posted this in the General Discussion section, but didn't get much response. So, I'll try over here, since I know that heavy hitters frequent this section to help us out.

Received my soil test results from the OSU-Tulsa extension office on Thursday. Here's how it stacks up. Please let me know what you think. A graphical test result was not provided.

Pumpkin:

pH: 7.6 Recommendation: Add 10 lbs. sulfur to every 1000 sq ft. Mix into top 4 inches and water in.

Nitrogen: 43; normal: 40

Phosphorus: 842 (excessive); normal: 65

Potassium: 1545; normal: 250.

For the watermelons:

pH: 7.8 Recommendation: Add 10 lbs. sulfur to every 1000 sq. ft., mix to 4 in., water in.

Nitrogen: 22 (low)

Phosphorus: 316 (excessive)

Potassium: 953 (excessive).

Looking for the best recommendations based on these numbers. Note: I managed to grow watermelons of 130 and 128 lbs. on what will be this year's AG patch.

4/6/2015 10:26:12 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I wouldn't worry about the excessive levels much. Lowering the pH is the most important thing, so that everything can be available for plant uptake. Did you have your sulfur levels checked? If sulfur is low I think you could up that to 15 lb per 1000 sq ft.

4/6/2015 10:55:49 PM

Deal With It

The sulfur levels weren't checked, and depending on results this year, I may use someone else for soil test results in 2016. Compared to the soil test results I've seen from some of you, the professional quality of my results appear to be from the 20th century.

4/6/2015 11:22:36 PM

Plymouth, Mass.

Western labs

4/7/2015 12:26:27 PM

Schaumburg, IL

The best soil test report for Giant pumpkins is Western Laboratories.

4/7/2015 9:08:11 PM

Deal With It

Thanks for the tip!

4/8/2015 9:25:54 AM

Deal With It

I looked at their website. Of the tests listed at http://nebula.wsimg.com/37f8907b2f65ffad0500b43c0570cb73?AccessKeyId=D8A0F05DC39782D7C16C&disposition=0&alloworigin=1 , which would you suggest?

4/8/2015 9:45:30 AM

Stanwood, Washington

http://nebula.wsimg.com/cdfe232f9371dc4618557b235f769267?AccessKeyId=D8A0F05DC39782D7C16C&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

4/8/2015 11:50:35 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Do not hop around on soil test reports. You will be chasing your tail

4/8/2015 1:55:52 PM

Deal With It

Thanks. When it comes to adding sulfur to the soil, what do you recommend?

4/8/2015 11:22:17 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

You want to get a 50 lb bag of elemental sulfur. Otherwise you will pay an arm and a leg for it.

4/9/2015 9:11:23 AM