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Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

Got my first ever soil analysis done on my patch. I’m not quite sure how to read this, although after comparing it to other growers. I think my soil is a fair amount out of whack. Before the results, let me tell you about how I got the soil to where it is now. This patch is in my backyard which was sod on top of clay. This particular patch is about 600 sq ft. I tilled the sod into the clay and brought in 12 yards of composted manure. I added 6 yards of the manure and then tilled it in, and then added the other 6 yards and tilled it in. I have been tilling in coffee grounds once a month that I have been picking up from Starbucks every day. I have also tilled in 60lbs of gypsum and about 15-20lbs of 28-5-6 granular fertilizer.

Okay, given that, here’s my soil sample, analyzed on 12/12/03. Any thoughts or recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Organic Matter    7%
Phosphorus    P1 176ppm
P2 188ppm

Potassium    3227ppm
Magnesium    758ppm
Calcium    1921ppm
Sodium        269ppm
PH        7.1
CEC        25.4


% Base Saturation

%K    32.6
%Mg    24.9
%Ca    37.9
%H    0.0
%Na    4.6


Nitrate
Ppm    282
Lbs/A    508

Soluble Salts

Mmhos/cm    .1

12/13/2003 4:14:48 PM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

Could the high potassium be related to the clay? or has my patch been eating bananas behind my back?

12/13/2003 4:46:59 PM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

Most of the soil amendments, with the exception of the coffee grounds were made about 4 weeks before taking the sample.

12/13/2003 4:48:32 PM

San Diego, Ca.

I also had my first ever soil analysis done this fall. I added 10yds of topsoil and 3yds manure. When the results of the test came back my readings were somewhat like yours except I had very high salt content and high PH. What I have learned from others is that manure is loaded with potassium as well as well as many other nutrients...and in my case, alot of salt. Take a look at my results which are posted on the soil prep message board. Our results are very similar. I talked to the argonomist at A&L west labs as for what to do and his suggestion was soak my patch with at least 6" water all in one watering to leach out the salts then because my PH was high I added recommended amount of sulfer and a heavy load of gypsum to get the calcium up and help with the salts. Now a cover crop is planted and its a waiting game to see what the results of my efforts will be in the spring when I retest. I was told the potassium levels would drop through the winter so yours should as well. I am no expert by any means but you should add some gypsum to your soil to get your calcium up to around 3000 ppm. Your PH looks good and should drop a little more as your organics decompose over the winter.

12/13/2003 7:50:51 PM

San Diego, Ca.

Disreguard my suggestion about adding gypsum...I missed that you already did add some :-)

12/13/2003 7:54:26 PM

Montoursville, PA

Just relax and look at the patch from spring to fall and then fall to spring. Deal with the PH and keep adding the manures and compost.

Your OM or humus looks good and it will or can get better. The higher the OM within reason the more forgiving your patch will be to the little errors and happenings. Your salts are high but that goes with the territory when adding large amounts of manures and compost. It will leach out and the gypsom will help some.

I would slip in five pounds of Green Sand, Azromite by Fertrell Co, or Ironite to cover some unknowns that do not show in your test.

I would discontinue synthetic fertilizer and add something like a Fertrell 4-2-4. The synthetics will harm if not kill your soil bacteria that you so badly need to ballance that patch. They will excite plant growth synthetically and leach large portions of the application out of the patch. The organics meet your needs and sticks around for months of healthy plant support. They do not leach out so you do not need big NPK numbers. Think about that for next spring and by all means run a cover crop this fall to support your patch over winter.

4/15/2004 11:51:28 AM