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President - GPC

Does adding leaf matter in the fall add to the level of K in the soil some spring?

11/7/2007 10:33:50 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Hey Wiz, in a report that I read recently it was quoted as saying "The total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content of composted leaves ranged from .55 - 1.25 percent nitrogen, to .14 -.19 percent phosphorus, to .03 -.16 percent potassium"

But of course bear in mind that it depends on they type of leaves you are using as well and what you add to that mixture if you are composting before adding to the soil. I always just shred the leaves and then till into the garden and let the worms do the rest.

Good reading at;

http://www.vsb.cape.com/~nature/greencenter/q33/leafmass.htm

11/7/2007 11:06:00 AM

President - GPC

I thought I read I think from one of Dan B posts that K raise can come from lots of leaves tilled in.....

11/7/2007 11:40:30 AM

southwest MO

WIZ If you are after available K the trick is to get it cycling through the biological process. Leaves will certianly contribute K to your soil... You can easily have upwards of 0.5% or more Total K in fresh leaves on a dry basis. That is 5,000 PPM.
There is better K fertilizers out there, but not much better ammendments IMHO In my opinion its hard to over do it with leaf compost...

11/7/2007 12:29:29 PM

I may have posted that Gary, I added 6"-10" of mostly shredded leaves last fall and 2" of 1 year old cow poo,,,K went back the desired (high) levels I was looking for. So my thinking is that much of it came from those leaves since doing the math on that poo didn't make the numbers work.

Just had this discussion this morning actually with my agronomist, I didn't add leaves this fall and am now figuring out next springs requirements. After a spring test I'll decide.

11/7/2007 12:36:13 PM

should add that molasses also is "usually" high in K and I do use near to 200lbs per year. Most kelp contains K (try and find the amount from your supply source). Like all amendments,,,the "total" amount applied is the key when shooting for numbers in the soil. (i.e.,,tally all numbers from ALL of your amendments when making adjustments you deem necessay)

11/7/2007 12:41:52 PM

President - GPC

Thanks Dan I too am trying to find out why my K in the WIz patch went way high that year......The search goes on...lol

11/7/2007 12:42:46 PM

Woodinville, WA, PNW zn 7b

http://www.improve-your-garden-soil.com/potassium-and-soil-potash-fertilizer.html

Potassium is found naturally in ashes. This article says burned corn cobs are high in potash. But burned wood ashes from a fireplace or wood burning stove are good too.

Ashes also raise the PH of the soil, much like lime. If yo have a lilac and it's not doing well because of acid soil, throw some wood ashes under it and watch it turn dark green and bloom like crazy the next summer.

11/12/2007 7:34:19 PM