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Flat Rock, Michigan

I got the following results from my soil test and need help with recommendations:
soil pH 7.4
phosphorus 100
potassium 315
magnesium 229
calcium 1549
CEC 10.5
% of Exhangeable Bases:
K 7.7
Mg 18.2
Ca 74.0
Thanks,John

10/18/2007 4:21:39 PM

milford, CT,

That's not too bad.....Calcium needs some increase...shoot for 3000 ppm...Don't use Lime...it will raise the PH...use Gypsum. Otherwise your looking pretty good. Also...Kelp Meal is an excellent amendment to add every year (North American Kelp out of Maine). Mark

10/18/2007 9:06:43 PM

Ontario, Canada.

I see no mention of OM in your report. However from the CEC of 10.5 it must be in the lower ranges at or near normal background levels of aprrox. 5% in your Michigan area. Gypsum as stated above and lots of OM, Leaves, manure, grass clippings, yard waste and compost. For N add Alfalfa meal. Add kelp meal any time. Resist the urge to add any thing else and you'll have a fine patch in 2008.

10/19/2007 9:04:29 AM

Wood River, IL (kennyw_49@yahoo.com)

Russ,

Just to pit your brain, and help me understand this. Could you explain the part about the CEC, What it is, what it does. Thanks Russ this is just like being back in school. lol

Kenny

10/19/2007 9:53:09 AM

Cornell, Wi

when is the best time to add alafa meal?

10/19/2007 8:14:22 PM

Sheridan . NY

I Was going to say the same thing there was no OM and usually i suggest 10-12 inchs of 6.6 ph compost or simliar stuff-- you dont want any thing high in ph --yep on cal--craig

10/21/2007 8:45:18 PM

Sheridan . NY

spring om the alfalfa meal or pellets about 1 5gal bucket to the 15 foot circle--

10/21/2007 9:40:56 PM

Midwest

StL Kenny and Russ: StL Kenny, I know you asked Russ to answer what CEC is... I would like to take a crack at an answer. CEC = Cation Exchange Capacity. It's a measurement of the nutrient/water holding capacity of the soil. It is a measurement of how your soil holds or binds cations like K, Mg, Ca. I'm trying to think of an analogy. Let's say you bought a 300 Amp car battery (13.2V), 300 Amps is the CEC. The full potential of the battery is 300 Amps. A 'D' battery (also 13.2V) can put out 0.5 Amps. Big difference. CEC tells you how many cations the soil can hold per 100 grams. What does it do for you?... It's a good indication of soil fertility. When the soil can't hold onto nutrients, the plant will use alot of energy searching for nutrients. Plus, nutrients will leach out. The soil will have a hard time retaining water.
Greg

10/22/2007 1:03:19 AM