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Ashby, MA

Hi Pap,

Recently, I read one of your very helpful tips. One things you mentioned is having a balanced soil. I'm assuming you mean a balance between N, P and K. I also read that the particular ppm for each of these components may vary depending on your soil conditions. Another person mentioned that base saturation ratio is really important. Can you write a little bit about what the ratio should be between N, P and K in order to have a balanced soil and how the base saturation ratio is related? Also, what is the typical ppm range for each N, P and K. This would really be helpful when we get our spring soil test results. This will be my 3rd year and I really want to get my soil balanced.

Thanks again for all of your advise!!!

1/18/2012 11:12:26 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

I am no Pap, but as another supplement till he gives input, check out Cntryboy's write up on the matter. Click on the soil section:

http://www.how2growags.blogspot.com/p/beginners-guide-to-growing-giant_892.html

1/18/2012 11:28:35 AM

Greenfield, Mass

Wow, thanks for that link Luke! Guess I'll be reading that all afternoon...

1/18/2012 11:37:01 AM

Ashby, MA

Thanks Luke for the link. A big thanks to Cntryboy for spending the time writing the article/guide.

1/18/2012 11:39:23 AM

Ashby, MA

The chart Cntryboy provides here:

http://www.how2growags.blogspot.com/p/beginners-guide-to-growing-giant_892.html#Get%20a%20soil%20test|outline

Is very useful but only goes up to 2005. I'd be interested to knowing Pap's perspective on the numbers and it would be great to see soil results from the top growers in 2010 and 2011.

1/18/2012 12:05:07 PM

Ashby, MA

Another question I have is if you can have a CEC that's too high. My fall test indicated a CEC of 30.4. Does that mean I need to add sand to my soil to try and lower that number? Would that even work?

1/18/2012 12:11:28 PM

canal winchester ohio

gp, here's a good article explaining cec.
http://www.acresusa.com/toolbox/reprints/March10_CEC_Astera.pdf

1/18/2012 12:17:09 PM

canal winchester ohio

Here is one I've used in the past to help determine what my plants may be lacking. The best way is tissue testing but this can help on the fly.
http://www.rutec.com/Manual/NUTRIENTS.pdf

1/18/2012 12:23:39 PM

Ashby, MA

From what I'm reading a CEC of 30 is fine given that my pH is in a good range and my other nutrients are in a good range as well. Thanks all for the info.

1/18/2012 2:10:59 PM

canal winchester ohio

That's why asking if a cretain number ( in your case 30) is difficult to answer. You also have to factor your soil type ( sandy, loamy or clay) as well as what the ph of your soil is.

1/18/2012 3:47:30 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

gpierce,
When balancing soil, you need to balance much more than just the N-P-K. the ratio between Calcium and magnesium, which by the way differs based upon geographical areas, and that is only a small part of balancing your soil. The Cation saturation % is what I look at first. I usually try to recommend getting a soil test at A&L Labs in Modesto, or Western Labs, these labs perform the most complete tests that I've seen, it is really important to get a complete picture in order to make educated recommendations on balancing your soil.
Something as simple as the buffer ph number can mean the difference between adding 1-4 tons of lime per acre...a very big difference, and thats just one big difference I've seen in lab reports over the years.
As far as the cec level, if your cec is high and your organic matter is low, there is a good chance that your soil type is clay, while another grower may have a cec of 30.4 (identical to yours) and very high OM, in his case it would be very nice loam. High Organic matter may be a good thing, or at least not a terrible thing to have in the North East, that same High Organic matter in the south, where daily temperatures and humidity levels are elevated is almost an invitation for disease. Many Growers have killed their season by attempting to mirror some of the more successful growers in the North East.
What I am getting at here is that everyone’s soil is different and should be treated as such. While there are templates to look at that show ideal numbers, you are better off having someone reading your soil that has some experience.
Huffs, I agree on tissue testing, I'll be speaking about this at the grow meetings.
Tom

1/19/2012 7:17:45 PM