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Wroclaw, Poland (51 N, 17 E)

Before I get my soil test done I wouldl ike to know what is the best level of N,P,K (and maybe also the rest - Ca, Mg etc.) in the soil. Thanks.

10/24/2004 12:55:32 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Jacek,

I will email you an excel spread sheet that I have set up for Atlantic Giants. In it are some reasonable goals for the elements we test soils for. The exception is Nitrogen. Soil testing for Nitrogen is not accurate using any method other than in field gaseous exctraction. That is too expensive & difficult to administer.

As a rule, AGs will use about 100 lbs of Nitrogen per acre to there advantage. Much more starts to create problems. We can tell better how we're doing with Nitrogen by developing an eye for it. Heavy large bluish green bloated leaves are getting too much N. Small light green leaves especially during periods of active growth need a little more. Tissue analysis is the best Nitrogen test, but as quick & accurate as the testing is, the cost is high.

10/25/2004 11:54:00 PM

Puyallup, WA

Remember....we are not growing big leaves, but rather, big pumpkins. The New Hampshire boys will tell you not to go too heavy on the nitrogen. They have a mighty good track record.

10/26/2004 1:06:56 AM

Walkerton Ont

tremor can u email me the excel spread sheet as well, it looks interestng

10/26/2004 5:06:20 AM

So Cal

Not to chime in on this, but Tremor could you e-mail me the spread sheet too. This sounds like it could be of some use to me.

10/27/2004 1:10:51 PM

Belgium

Tremor,
i'd like it too, can you send it also to me?

10/27/2004 2:09:05 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

jantje,


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10/27/2004 7:02:42 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Hey Tremor,
I'd like to see that sheet as well. I would really like to see what levels you believe are ideal. Thanks.

10/27/2004 7:55:35 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Let's get something straight here. Soil extraction methods differ so test results cannot ever be "the same".

My report collection document & the levels it has set in the "goals" area are for CLC Labs in Westerville Ohio. They only use Mehlich-1 for the Phosphorus extraction.

Other elements are extracted in different reagents that are better suited to that task.

I am sending this spreadsheet around with serious reservations since lower quality extraction protocol will lend itself to a different set of standards.

If an all Mehlich-1 report has been obtained, then the lab that ran the report should be making the recommendations. I can & sometimes do interpret A&L, Western, & various University or Co-Op/Extension office reports. But only if the lab's soil scientist didn't offer his/her own interpretation & recommendations. If recommendations came with a report, follow them.

Last time. Mehlich is cheap & flawed. But it works in the hands of those who know it. My spreadhseet is NOT designed to be integrated with Mehlich extracted results.

It WILL work when the data comes from CLC or (probably) Harris. That's it.

10/28/2004 9:17:37 AM