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Location

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Date Posted

San Diego

How do I raise the copper level in my soil? Apparently copper sulfate kills fungus. Will this have bad affects?

11/29/2015 3:40:56 PM

East Jordan, MI

http://www.lebanonturf.com/education/fungicide-effects-on-mycorrhizae

11/29/2015 5:02:53 PM

Massillon, Ohio

Excellent article! Thanks Cecil.

11/29/2015 6:21:59 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

At the rates you apply it to raise levels in the soil, it shouldn't cause a problem. When my copper tested 0.7 PPM, Western Labs recommended 0,5 ounces per 1000 sq. ft. , Since copper sulfate is 25% copper, that amounted to just 2 ounces per 1000 sq. ft. My biggest problem was getting that amount spread evenly. I had trouble getting it to dissolve good in water, just had shoulder surgery and couldn't agitate it well. I ended up blending it with kelp meal and using my broadcast spreader.

11/29/2015 6:22:33 PM

San Diego

Thanks. So according to the article, copper will have will inhibit Endomycorrhizae. What if I am applying it to the soil 5 months before planting time? Isn't this being done all the time?

11/29/2015 7:45:02 PM

San Diego

I would like to raise the copper level to about 3-3.5 ppm to keep it balanced and it is at 1 ppm. That would amount to a lot more than you added Iowegian. Would it be smart to just build it over time instead?

11/29/2015 7:59:19 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

If you use 85# for the dry weight of a cubic foot of an average soil, then 0.68 ounces of copper would raise the top 6" on 1000 sq ft by 1 PPM. That would be 2.72 ounces of copper sulfate. Western Labs recommends 0.8 to 2.5 ppm for copper. My current copper test is still 0.7 ppm so I will add some more this spring. I don't believe in over-applying any nutrient, but I also have grown just 1 pumpkin over 1000#. If you are worried, just add a little at a time. You have the luxury of applying it now so rain can help move it through the soil by planting time. My soil is starting to get just a little hard in the morning here. I have to wait until late March at the earliest.

11/29/2015 9:46:58 PM

San Diego

Thanks again.

11/29/2015 10:08:52 PM

Central Illinois

When you have a small quantity of product to spread out over a large area use sand. Take about 1/2 gallon of sand had the product your using,give it a quick stir then roll the container around, dont shake it just roll it so the finer particles dont settle together.
Now toss it out over the garden, if your sand is lightly moist it will keep fine dry products from blowing away as your spread it out

12/10/2015 7:49:15 AM

Central Illinois

add* the product your using

12/10/2015 7:50:54 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Baitman has a great idea. I have to wait for calm winds to spread kelp meal or it blows all over. And calm winds are rare around here. I will be using damp sand as a carrier too.

12/10/2015 2:30:22 PM

Colorado

Ive used alfalfa pellets as a carrier for micro nutrients. About 25 lbs in a wheel barrel along with boron,mn whatever soil test says. Add enough water to wet---mix--- well and broadcast. Its a great way to spread 8 oz of something across 1000 square feet.I used to use a salt shaker but got tendonitis easily :)

12/23/2015 2:59:27 PM