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Mill Bay, British Columbia

We were a bit late getting our soil sample into Western Labs for the annual soil test and now the cover crop is growing great with our rainy season about to set in.

My question is, based on the recommendation from the lab, if this were a spring/pre-planting soil analysis, we would add our granular fertilizer and till in with the cover crop, but since it’s fall should I hold off and simply not waste anything due to leaching.

Lab recommendation was, 7 lbs urea, 12 lbs bone meal and 7 lbs 0-0-50 per 1000 sq ft.

FYI, we always do a fall test just to see the numbers are, and to see what is left in the soil after growing season is over. We always retest in the spring and add amendments as recommended by the lab.

11/18/2018 1:28:51 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

If you are heading into a rainy season, adding urea now would likely be a mistake. Chemical forms of nitrogen leach out fast, unlike organic forms that stay in the soil better. The P and K stay attached to the soil better. Instead of applying and tilling twice, I would wait until spring. Less tillage equals less damage to soil structure.

11/18/2018 9:37:34 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Thanks.

11/20/2018 10:12:05 AM