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Indiana

Here are my results:

Organic Matter, % 6.8
Phosphorus, ppm P 183
Potassium, ppm K 340
Magnesium, ppm Mg 320
Calcium, ppm Ca 2950
Sodium, ppm Na 10
Cation Exchange Capacity, meq/100g 18.3
pH 7.6
Soluble Salts, mmho/cm 0.2
Sulfur, ppm S
Zinc, ppm Zn 19.0
Iron, ppm Fe 72
Manganese, ppm Mn 33
Copper, ppm Cu 2.4
Boron, ppm B 1.5

For suggestions they told me to put down 9 lbs. of Urea (46-0-0). Said to put down half now and then half in the spring. Also recommended that I apply 10 lbs of sulfur this year to bring down ph. I did this last year and my ph stayed the same at 7.6. Last fall I added 10 yards of compost and the sulfur. My organic matter went from 5.1 to 6.8. I guess that is the reason for the lack of N this past year. Just seemed my plants didn't grow well and the nutrients seemed locked as I couldn't even get corn to grow as it was real small just like my pumpkins. Anyone with any suggestions as where to get Urea and or what type of sulfur to use would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Todd

10/19/2006 8:13:01 PM

SF Bay Area, California

Your OM is still low. Add at least 1 yd of compost per 200 square feet. If you can get well composted compost, not the hot stuff lay this down in the spring. Spread 10 pounds of gypsum per 100 square feet this fall and till it in with 2 pounds per 100 square feet of soil sulfer and the recommended Urea. The urea and soil sulfer should be available at any good nursery or garden supply.

If you can't find urea look for any other high nitrogen product such as calcium nitrate. Soil sulfer usually comes in little pellets that is easy to spread. Good luck.

10/19/2006 10:12:22 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Todd,

That pH is very high. 10 lbs of sulfur sounds like the lawn rate for 1000 sq ft. Did the lab realize you would be tilling it to the plough board depth of 9" or did they make a lawn recommendation?

Vince's advice is sound. Calcium should come up....Calcium Nitrate next spring might be a fine idea but 9 lbs of Urea is a little hefty even in a split application.

I'll check the office laptop tomorrow. I seem to recall seeing a soil test today but I was rushing to finish a work project & blew it off.

10/20/2006 1:13:59 AM

Indiana

Yeah I put it down on my soil sample I sent into the lab that Giant Pumpkins were to be grown. Steve I will send again.

Thanks,
Todd

10/20/2006 4:23:10 AM

Indiana

So is there a difference between soil sulfur and lawn sulfur. Last year I put down sulfur that was yellow pellets and seemed not to dissolve as there were still pellets through out the year this year.

Thanks,
Todd

10/20/2006 4:25:31 AM

Paradise Mountain, New York

Is putting to much sulfur down a bad thing? What if your soil test comes back and says your Sulfur is very high?

10/20/2006 12:53:03 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Todd's soil is already quite high in sulfur (36 ppm per the test report). But he's not over the edge so I'd use more. I would also add 4-6" of Peat Moss right now & till it in. This will knock the pH down some.

10/20/2006 2:13:15 PM

Indiana

Thanks everyone for your help.

10/20/2006 5:38:17 PM

southwest MO

Compost leaves and throw in a healthy amount of pine needles add cottonseed meal for N. Till this in with the peat.

10/20/2006 11:07:26 PM

Santa Cruz, CA

Are pine needles ok to use? I thought they might break down too slowly and rob the soil of nitrogen.

11/2/2006 1:22:03 AM