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Weedville,pa

I'm a new grower and here are the results of our soil test: I know we need some help...any advice is much appreciated! Our patch is 1500 sq ft

pH (water extract) 5.9
BUT....it lists a Lime value of 0.0 which is listed as "good"

OM- 3.36%
Nitrate: 16
Ammonium: 10
Phosphorus: 19
Potassium: 370
Sulfate: 11
Calcium: 893
Magnesium: 114
Zinc: 4.0
Copper: 3.6
Manganese: 75
Iron: 141
Boron: 0.5
CEC: 20
Percent Base Saturation: 34
Bases:
Calcium: 23
Magnesium: 5
Potassium: 5
Sodium: 1
Hydrogen: 67
Would it possibly be better to simply develop our patch this season and grow in it next year?

Thanks guys!

3/25/2011 7:13:10 PM

Western PA

Gardner Hillbilly,
To answer your question at the bottom of your post, ...
I would plant 1 or 2 seeds to get experience. Hopefully you have a few seeds that you did not pay for. One of the biggest things I finally learned how to do last season, was how to get the bend in the vine to position the pumpkin to prevent vine stress.

My mistake was that I was trying to bend too much of the vine too far back. The farther back you get from the tip, the more brittle it gets. Just use the last 10-12 inches and you will be in good shape.And do NOT try this until afternoon, when it is hot out, or you will snap the main. I snapped two last season.The vines are very brittle in the morning hours. If this is your rookie year, you will learn a lot.
As far as your numbers on your test, I could look at mine from last season and compare to yours and get back to you.
I was told last season that my #'s were pretty good.

Did A&L do your test ?
Lee

3/25/2011 11:59:32 PM

Weedville,pa

lee, thanks for the advice! I'd definitely appreciate the comparison with your numbers from last year. We do have some seeds that were given to us so we don't have to worry about losing $ invested in good seeds. We had Western Labs do the test.
Frank

3/26/2011 8:39:38 AM

Picton,ON (j.vincent@xplornet.ca)

gardnerhillbilly....Your soil needs a good jag of lime, as soon as you can get it on in the spring. if you can find dolomitic lime, that would be best, but calcitic will do also. I would apply 175 to 200 lbs of lime over the 1500ft2 area you have there. You also could benefit from some aged compost or manure. I would suggest 5-8 yards of material if it is well aged and if you can find it. Apply the lime, work it in then apply the compost. I would grow in this, this year...than retest in the fall our next spring and reassess your situation.

John

3/26/2011 9:25:09 AM

Western PA

Going by my numbers from last season(fall of 09).
I am no expert, but had a very good rookie season, so....

Your ph will need to be higher, you will need to put down some dolomitic lime (fast acting).PH should be around 7 give or take a little.

It appears that your main stuff is decent (N,P,K ). I think your calcium should be higher. I think gypsum is used for that.Your iron seems way high, not sure if that is good or bad.Your CEC looks great to me, (15-25 is great).
Hopefully you got the recommendation on your test, they should be at the very bottom.

I would try to email your results to Frank and Tina Finders from South Carolina. They are very good with this stuff.
I am thinking the most important thing is to get that ph up.I believe if you put down several inches (2-4)of old manure ,you will be in better shape also.
Best of luck this year !!

Lee

3/26/2011 9:53:28 AM

Western PA

Country kid beat me to it , Take his advice , not mine LOL !!! He has MUCH more experience.

3/26/2011 9:55:19 AM

Weedville,pa

thanks guys, MUCH appreciated! I'll get working on this ASAP!

3/26/2011 11:29:25 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Grow em BIG...GHB!!!! Peace, Wayne

3/26/2011 11:56:47 PM

Weedville,pa

Wayne, we're gonna do our best! thanks for the motivational words....gonna get working on gathering the amendments today! I got an e-mail reply from Frank Finders with some detailed recommendations also. Many thanks to all who are helping!

3/27/2011 9:02:06 AM