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San Diego

I was looking through old posts from Gourdzilla so I can learn a little about growing in our area. I came across a post where he said he had made a mistake by tilling in manure and then taking a soil test afterwards. The problem is that I did the same thing! I am getting a late start because I decided to grow just this spring, and I added manure in the patch a few weeks ago. I am still waiting for the test results to come in. What kind of problems is this going to cause if any. Apparently the numbers will be thrown off but if they are, aren't they still accurately telling what is in the soil?

4/7/2015 12:16:23 AM

Muddy Waters

was it just manure? How old was the manure?

4/7/2015 7:13:01 AM

San Diego

It was just manure. I really wanted to get some compost in but I could not find any in my area without a lot of wood, so I passed it up this year. The manure was composted although it had a slight smell of ammonia when I first spread it, which I was not sure about. I am not sure if I should be that worried because Jim Fredrick's (spelled right?) 2014 diary showed him getting it from the same place although that was two months earlier than the time of year I got it.

4/7/2015 12:06:14 PM

San Diego

AND, I am sure he had problem gotten a soil test done before, not after.

4/7/2015 12:07:06 PM

San Diego

had probably* not problem

4/7/2015 12:08:06 PM

Colorado

You may be too "hot" as in too much nitrogen and high in salts. The soil test will be good info. Water well before planting

4/7/2015 1:06:36 PM

San Diego

Okay...so it will actually give an accurate reading, correct?
I was under the impression that it would distort the readings.
Thanks.

4/7/2015 1:34:47 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

Hey Somebody,
Our local weighoff, Pumpkinmania, is in Irvine and its usually the last weekend in October prior to Halloween. That would make it October 25th this year. I won't be starting my seeds until Mid-May and that is plenty early. Figure 10 days after that before you need to have the seeds hit the patch. You've got nearly two months to let that manure stabilize. If its mostly composted you should be fine.

4/7/2015 2:31:44 PM

Colorado

It will be accurate reading ,with your temps your soil will compost fast ,as suggested, add water and till it again in a couple of weeks.

4/7/2015 3:42:46 PM

San Diego

I am not going to make a big deal about it, but I will make note of this for next year. It is pretty well composted...I was just worried that I may have gotten a manure test instead of a soil test...
Kevin, if the year goes as planned, I will see if I can make it to the Pumpkinmania. My goal for my first real* year is 400 pounds. I think that may be a struggle though.

*I tried last year but failed because I did not research and prepare properly or even get a soil test done... had no idea what I was supposed to be doing.

4/7/2015 4:05:40 PM

Torrance, Ca.

400 at Pumpkinmnaia would be cool!

4/7/2015 8:12:13 PM

San Diego

Probably too far to aim for me this year...but where will I get if I don't try?
It is a plus that Vince is only four houses away...He will probably wish this was not the case by the end of the year.

4/7/2015 8:27:20 PM

Whitehall Montana

Somebody-just do it to it.You can study all you want and that will help around the patch but the best learning I found is hands on.I was so scared to touch or cut anything until I had too.I learned a lot on my own and u will too.I grew the 924.5 Johnson and it went 385 lbs.One of the best summers I ever had.Always have fun at what you do my friend

4/7/2015 9:47:09 PM

Torrance, Ca.

I'm sure he will. lol

4/7/2015 11:09:15 PM

San Diego

I will. We have not even started growing yet and I am having fun...

4/7/2015 11:47:53 PM

Colorado

Somebody the plants are as interesting as the giant fruit that they produce. Kind of a jack in the bean stalk experience . descent soil -good genetics-well rooted secondaries and well pruned plant and watch that sucker grow

4/7/2015 11:56:38 PM

San Diego

I have another question...again.
People say not to take a test after you have put the manure because the results will be thrown off by the manure and will not be accurate on what is actually in the soil. I don't understand this though, because whether something is influencing the readings or not, shouldn't they still be accurately reading the condition of the soil at that time?

If they are accurate, why does everyone advise not spreading manure until you have had a test?

4/11/2015 1:05:46 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

For growing pumpkins put down composted manure after the soil test.You should have added the fresh manure in the fall. Rain and the snow melting would of leached out a lot of everything.People say not to take a test after you have put the manure because the results will be thrown off by the manure and will not be accurate on what is actually in the soil. So very true!You should spend time on the internet searching about adding fresh and compost manure to a garden.. Learn a lot by seaching for your own questions and get great answers by searching the internet

4/11/2015 1:35:29 PM

San Diego

Yes I know...this is not the first time someone has told me to go to the internet. The truth is that I do 90% of my research on the internet. The reason I post here is because I want the advice of experienced growers who fit right into the category of what I am doing.

4/11/2015 3:07:46 PM