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South Bloomfield, Ohio

This message is intended for ALL growers, especially for the newer ones.

If you have ever struggled not only with WHERE to get a good soil test, but with how to INTERPRET one, have no fear....Craig Lembke is here.

Craig is an old AG grower who also runs an organic grape vineyard in New York State and a website at: www.lembkefarm.com. At the top of the home page will be a tab "soil testing service". Click on it and several options will come up. I highly recommend test S3C for thirty-six well-spent dollars.

When you take a soil sample, do so by taking several 8" deep cores which add up to about one pint. Let the sample dry completely at room temp. and keep turning it over until completely dry. Put the sample in a double zip-lock bag and send it to Craig at:

3107 Rt. 39
Forestville, NY 14062

Be sure to send a short note about the crop being grown. The sample will the be forwarded to Midwest Laboratories, Inc., which has been testing samples for AG's for years and keeps up with the latest fertility recommendations for AG's. The sample results will be sent to you in less than two weeks and Craig will also receive a copy and follow up with a personal phone call to you. He will explain each part of the analysis, what your levels mean, and what you should do with your soil both in the fall and in the spring.

Craig's service is the most complete of its kind and will certainly reduce the number of posts here on BP.com from growers who are completely confused.

Don't delay. Fall patch prep is underway. Also, don't forget the spring soil test before planting time.

Visit Craig's site or contact him at: craig@LembkeFarm.com.

Thanks loads Craig!.............Joe Gerchy

9/19/2009 2:38:49 PM