Balancing my soil?

spacegolfer · June 16, 2011

I am in Indiana. I have mixed in Schultz Enriched Garden Soil along with some compost about 2 mos. ago. I just did some soil samples and and was surprised to find my nitrogen and phosphorus were almost non existent. My potassium was very high.

My tomato plants, pepper plants and onions look fine to me. Should I just add some Miracle Grow or go another route.

I just recently added some Sevin Dust to treat some flea beatles. I also have a couple inches of red wood mulch throughout my garden. I did not know if this could effect any of my readings.

Thanks for any help.

James

dice · June 17, 2011

Not enough information. Did you add any fertilizer at all?

spacegolfer · June 17, 2011

Actually I the bagged soil I added said it would continue to feed for 6 mos.. I would add fertilizer but am not sure what amounts. I have a raised bed 3'x 40' long. I have 7 tomato plants (Brandywine, Mr. Stipey, Mortgage Lifter, Super Fantastic and Black Cherry). 5 sweet bell pepper and banana pepper plants. Green onions are planted throughout as well.

My ph was around 7.5 and my potassium was up around 7.5 while the phosphorus and nitrogen were very light colored and did not really match even the lightest colors in my test kit. Maybe I have a bad kit. I did use distilled water for my testing. I was wondering about maybe finding some litmus test strips for these readings.

jdmfish · June 17, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by spacegolfer

Actually I the bagged soil I added said it would continue to feed for 6 mos.. I would add fertilizer but am not sure what amounts. I have a raised bed 3'x 40' long. I have 7 tomato plants (Brandywine, Mr. Stipey, Mortgage Lifter, Super Fantastic and Black Cherry). 5 sweet bell pepper and banana pepper plants. Green onions are planted throughout as well.

My ph was around 7.5 and my potassium was up around 7.5 while the phosphorus and nitrogen were very light colored and did not really match even the lightest colors in my test kit. Maybe I have a bad kit. I did use distilled water for my testing. I was wondering about maybe finding some litmus test strips for these readings.

I don't have much to offer, except those litmus test strips are junk. I picked some up at my local hydroponics store for a $1.50, and it's almost impossible to get an accurate reading.

I think there's a few websites that offer complete soil testing for like $25 or $30.

RayR · June 17, 2011

The best test is your eyes, if the plants are green and healthy, there is likely no nutritional deficiencies. I'd think if you had virtually no available nitrogen and phosphorus, it would show.

dice · June 17, 2011

"Feeds for six months" on a bag of potting soil or potting mix is generally
not credible. (It may feed something for 6 months, but not likely a tomato
plant.)

The compost may have some usable nutrition, though. Some people
use only that to fertilizer their gardens. (Their pH is usable, they have
plenty of calcium and phosphorous in their soil, etc).

This page has pictures of plants with various mineral deficiencies:
http://5e.plantphys.net/article.php?ch=5&id=289

Particularly look at the pictures of nitrogen deficiency. Leaves start to
yellow from the bottom of the plant up. If your plants do not look like
that, your soil test device or kit is worthless.

i have found one of these meters usable for pH testing:
http://www.amazon.com/Luster-Leaf-18.../dp/B0000DI848

It reads .1 low across the scale (tested with pH meter calibrating solution).
That is close enough and consistent enough to be useful.

June 16, 2011	#1
spacegolfer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 3	Balancing my soil? I am in Indiana. I have mixed in Schultz Enriched Garden Soil along with some compost about 2 mos. ago. I just did some soil samples and and was surprised to find my nitrogen and phosphorus were almost non existent. My potassium was very high. My tomato plants, pepper plants and onions look fine to me. Should I just add some Miracle Grow or go another route. I just recently added some Sevin Dust to treat some flea beatles. I also have a couple inches of red wood mulch throughout my garden. I did not know if this could effect any of my readings. Thanks for any help. James

June 17, 2011	#2
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	Not enough information. Did you add any fertilizer at all? __________________ -- alias

June 17, 2011	#6
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	"Feeds for six months" on a bag of potting soil or potting mix is generally not credible. (It may feed something for 6 months, but not likely a tomato plant.) The compost may have some usable nutrition, though. Some people use only that to fertilizer their gardens. (Their pH is usable, they have plenty of calcium and phosphorous in their soil, etc). This page has pictures of plants with various mineral deficiencies: http://5e.plantphys.net/article.php?ch=5&id=289 Particularly look at the pictures of nitrogen deficiency. Leaves start to yellow from the bottom of the plant up. If your plants do not look like that, your soil test device or kit is worthless. i have found one of these meters usable for pH testing: http://www.amazon.com/Luster-Leaf-18.../dp/B0000DI848 It reads .1 low across the scale (tested with pH meter calibrating solution). That is close enough and consistent enough to be useful. __________________ -- alias

June 17, 2011	#5
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	The best test is your eyes, if the plants are green and healthy, there is likely no nutritional deficiencies. I'd think if you had virtually no available nitrogen and phosphorus, it would show.