From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Dillonvale, Ohio

If you got a soil test last fall or this spring, what is the OM% in your patch? And if you weighed any pumpkins already, what did they weigh? I have also asked this question on Facebook, so if you answered there, don't answer here please. And thank you

9/30/2021 5:38:46 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

19 percent this year from A&L Labs London Ontario

9/30/2021 9:36:09 PM

Deer Park WA

Our OM came in at 7.5 % from Western Labs and was listed as very high.
We still managed to grow a 1527.5 pounder that was 13% heavy.

9/30/2021 10:43:02 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Wow, 19% Carl....can’t question your results!!

My OM in our new patch runs at 6-8% and I’m going to build on that to get it more like 10-12%.

9/30/2021 11:48:17 PM

Colorado

Joe ailts recommends 5 to 7%. You get above 10% and will battle disease over the long haul.I'm no expert but what ive been told.

10/1/2021 12:31:32 AM

Bethlehem CT

My theory on OM is this; if you have a clay soil you will not want a high om%, with sandy soil it is less of a problem.

10/1/2021 7:56:24 AM

Iowa

3.1%, Grew a PB 1091 this year that went 12.9% heavy. Early harvest 637 for state fair that was 9.1% heavy. Thin topsoil over clay.

10/1/2021 9:00:00 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

I think I have had 12-15 in the past, combine that with our heat and humidity = lots of disease in the roots and vines. I quit adding commercial compost by the bulk, and everything has calmed down. No disease this year with 5 plants.

10/1/2021 9:26:49 PM

Dillonvale, Ohio

As a follow up...what type of soil do you have? Sandy, loam or clay?

10/3/2021 7:02:43 AM

Partlow,Va

4.5% Sandy Loam soil is what I shoot for. What Luke said about having high OM%

10/5/2021 8:58:26 AM

Grittyville, WA

What was yours this year, Jeff? Sandy loam here, around 5 % OM. My best year it was up around 15-20% but it was well aged 3 years or so I think. My soil texture is near perfect and I do think my disease pressure is relatively low because of this.

I have found that adding uncomposted organics can throw things slightly off balance. It takes the worms and bacteria a bit of time to make it available to the plant. And then when the nutrients are finally available, the rain will simply wash the nutrients out, so despite having perfect soil texture it's challenging to get the plants to benefit from a measly 5% OM.

10/5/2021 2:01:28 PM

Dillonvale, Ohio

Mine has been running 0.5% or less the last couple years, in clay soil.

10/8/2021 10:47:24 PM

Woodley, Reading, UK

I grow my giants, all GPC categories, in raised beds made up entirely waste compost and rotted-down plant material; so my OM% is 100%.
I have now also acquired a vast quantity of waste coir compost from the soft-fruit farm next door, which will give me even deeper beds next season.

10/18/2021 2:33:14 PM