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Massachusetts

Here's my fall soil test results. The Patch is 500sqft.

Soil pH:    5.5
Organic Matter: 8.2%
CEC:        18.4
Nitrate-N:    46 ppm
Amonnium-N:    5 ppm
Phosphorus:    42.3
Potassium:    455 lb/a
Calcium:    4033 lb/a
Magnesium:    434 lb/a
Sulfur:        18 ppm
Boron:        0.7 ppm
Copper:        0.11 ppm
Iron:        5.0 ppm
Manganese:    12.0 ppm
Zinc:        3.7 ppm
Sodium:        88.0 ppm
Soluble Salts:    0.92 mmhos/cm

K:        3.2% Sat
Mg:        9.7% Sat
CA:        54.4% Sat


I plan to add the recommended lime this fall to get the PH up to the 6.8-7.2 range.

From researching the site, I was also planning to add leaf mulch, seaweed, and 4 yards of compost.

I'm contemplating adding some Gypsum to get the calcium up.

What are your thoughts?

10/22/2013 1:15:24 PM

Germany

IMHO, pH is the biggest issue in your case. The K:Mg:Ca ratio doesn´t look too bad. Raising Mg level a bit and raising K level a bit more should get you into the right direction with respect of K:Mg:Ca ratios aimed at by most growers. Hence, addition of lime (which means addition of calcium) isn´t the best choice here. If adding lime, then only add dolomite, because it will add less Ca but a great amount of Mg. Also, addition of wood ash will increase K and Mg and will increase your soil pH. Sulfur isn´t too bad yet, but addition of some epsom salt in spring should be fine (as it adds Mg and sulfur, whereas gypsum would again add Ca, but there´s already plenty of it in your patch).

BTW, is your K,Mg,Ca really reported in lb/a whereas the other minerals levels are reported in ppm?

10/22/2013 2:17:52 PM

Massachusetts

Thank you for the great feedback. I just confirmed that the soil test results for K,Mg,and Ca were reported in lb/A values. I used the UMaine soil labs for the testing.

They recommended Dolomitic lime and some Potash.

I'll see if I can source some wood ash.

10/22/2013 2:54:45 PM

Germany

Makes me happy to see that they basically recommended the same cure. Yes, liming with dolomitic lime (CaCO3*MgCO3) is the key. Wood ash was just a suggestion if you happen to have a wood fired oven in your home...the you could collect the wood ash all winter long. If you find a good source of potash just go for it. That´s even easier to determine the right amount needed for your patch, but it will cost some $$ whereas the wood ash is for free.

A little amount of epsom salt added in spring still can´t hurt.

10/22/2013 3:00:03 PM

Glosta

add 50 # of dolomitic lime and wait till spring to see where you are. the drastic ph change will effect all the nutrient availability too so doing anything else would be senseless this fall.

you can add the compost and leaf mulch this fall also. Compost usually has a near nuetral PH.

10/22/2013 4:29:54 PM