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On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Is there any available Excel Program set up for tomatoes like the one by Ailt's designed for pumpkins. By that I mean one where the targets are for tomatoes rather than pumpkins and you insert your soil test results to get recommendations for what to add to you soil for the next season.

10/16/2018 10:15:13 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

Bry has one also Marv, but it too is set up for pumpkins. I think we have to decide if the ideal tomato soil is different than ideal pumpkin soil. I believe these spreadsheets are based on Mulder's chart. Balancing of nutrients, so one nutrient does not lock out others. I am not expert, but what I am thinking is If these ratios are balanced at any point such as seed starting..the plant can get the most of all nutrients. The problem arises when after the plant starts taking out one or another nutrient..the ratio's become unbalanced. I like your idea of adding organics that break down at a predictable rate to offset what the plants have taken in. Marv, I think that what you are looking for has not been developed yet. This weekend should get a fall soil sample sent away. As soon as I get the results back will send you a copy. I will crunch the numbers with both spreadsheets that I am aware of. Per your email...the spreadsheets could find difficulty with soil that has some particular difficulty. I do not believe mine does with the exception of slightly high zinc.

Looking forward to much discussion this winter on the ideal soil for tomatoes. It is an area that needs much more thought involved.

10/16/2018 6:49:43 PM