soil recipe - Page 2

Lindalana · February 1, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew51

Soil tests don't show the rate of organic decomposition so really give inaccurate Nitrogen rates in the soil. And many micronutrients are not tested for that could be missing in your soil. I find them of limited use.
For example I had a manganese deficiency in my soil and it was diagnosed through a leaf sample. The soil test told me squat.

Since I follow biological gardening model, regular soil test from local ext site would not be useful for me, I have no interest in adding 0-50-0

I too have had manganese deficiency and while I did suspect it by the leaf look, both labs, International Ag labs and Crop Service International did great job for me. Also for growing veggies like tomatoes, one should test for boron.
My soil also tested low for sodium so it was pretty funny to go to grocery store and buy regular salt to sprinkle my soil. Wish I have done it in the beginning of the season as I really do not like to add "too much salt" to my canning recipes so entire canning went off in taste...
As for maple- I am betting lots of problems from the tree- shade and using all nutrients by tree roots, starving everything else, maples are notorious for it. Nothing to do cept getting containers in sunnier places or removing maple...

drew51 · February 1, 2015

So how much do these places charge for these kinds of tests? We are talking backyards here, not huge crops, and no cash flow to speak of. Well a cash flow out of the wallet and into seeds and garden products.
OK International Ag labscharges $50.00 that would buy a lot of seeds. If I guess I had a problem, my only problem is how to store my huge harvest.

OK, but thanks for pointing those sites out. I may use them if I do develop problems. Very useful info, thanks.

Lindalana · February 1, 2015

Drew, I have heard good results about Logan labs, and you get pretty good deal, including manganese and boron for $25.
I know many people skip on soil testing, which is fine... I am a convert. I find it fun, hubby also calls me "alchemist" for mixing my own ferts and microbial inoculants

drew51 · February 1, 2015

Excellent, we have a winner! That is much in line with my budget! OK, thanks for the info Linda! I need to test really to see where the micros are now. I did correct, but don't know how effective?

nnavarra61 · February 6, 2015

Thanks for all the input. The bride will not hear of removing the shade from the deck, and I already got caught trying to sabotage the thing. We do trim it back every year so the area gets good sun, I did not think the roots had intruded that much but I'm obviously wrong. Looks like I'll be doing some container gardening in the future. Has anyone tried Dr. Earth? A friend of mine swears by it, says to add it to the compost and watch it ramp up the temp & decomposition

Steelcurtain67 · February 7, 2015

Make the greedy tree pay for robbing you. Collect it's leaves and compost them and put them in your raised beds. Use the nutrients the tree extracted from deep within the earth for you own purpose. Be carefull though trees are necrophiles and won't hesitate to go and try get their nutrients back.

February 1, 2015	#17
drew51 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Sterling Heights, MI Zone 6a/5b Posts: 1,302	So how much do these places charge for these kinds of tests? We are talking backyards here, not huge crops, and no cash flow to speak of. Well a cash flow out of the wallet and into seeds and garden products. OK International Ag labscharges $50.00 that would buy a lot of seeds. If I guess I had a problem, my only problem is how to store my huge harvest. OK, but thanks for pointing those sites out. I may use them if I do develop problems. Very useful info, thanks. Last edited by drew51; February 1, 2015 at 04:00 PM.

February 1, 2015	#18
Lindalana Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 857	Drew, I have heard good results about Logan labs, and you get pretty good deal, including manganese and boron for $25. I know many people skip on soil testing, which is fine... I am a convert. I find it fun, hubby also calls me "alchemist" for mixing my own ferts and microbial inoculants

February 6, 2015	#20
nnavarra61 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Willow Grove, Pa. Posts: 29	Thanks for all the input. The bride will not hear of removing the shade from the deck, and I already got caught trying to sabotage the thing. We do trim it back every year so the area gets good sun, I did not think the roots had intruded that much but I'm obviously wrong. Looks like I'll be doing some container gardening in the future. Has anyone tried Dr. Earth? A friend of mine swears by it, says to add it to the compost and watch it ramp up the temp & decomposition

February 7, 2015	#21
Steelcurtain67 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: PA Posts: 4	Make the greedy tree pay for robbing you. Collect it's leaves and compost them and put them in your raised beds. Use the nutrients the tree extracted from deep within the earth for you own purpose. Be carefull though trees are necrophiles and won't hesitate to go and try get their nutrients back.