Soil testing

[seedcorn]

Do 3rd world poor nations really import heavy metals in fertilizer and soil products?

Why don't we stop such importation?

Because of no regulations, the heavy metals come from industry pollution. Why we don't stop it? $$$$$$$. Keeps food cheap.

China shut down the year before they hosted the Olympics. Due to the rivers ran red with pollution. While we complain about government regs, we forget what we would be like without them. We really live in a great country--in spite of our problems.

 

[897tgigvib]

Welcome Tybo



I'll see if I can translate that on google

 

[897tgigvib]

Translated:

Good day! Girls, help me out .. need a good recipe for pizza with salami. Plan their pampered, and nothing good can not find.

Oh. Well, I volunteer to be the taste tester for the pizza!

 

[majorcatfish]

this thread is getting very interesting.!!!
have read from the competitive grower to the backyard grower, and I do see both sides of this thread.
but you know it's up to you how you wish to grow in your garden!!!!

of the members here there is only a handful of master or competitive growers that tweak and peak their soil to grow the biggest and badest fruits and vegetables, more power to you.
your input is very important and it is, that's why we are here I love too learn, knowledge is power!!!!!


what it boils down to is if you want a great productive garden either as a backyard gardener or master, go down to your county cooperative extension and get some soil kits and send them in.
once you get the results back form the lab, if you have questions contact them.....that's what your paying your taxes for!!!!

the soil test kits you get from the box stores only give you a basic $ 4.95 reading of
ph
nitrogen
phosphorus
potassium
which are the 4 basic main key elements to growing..

having your soil tested though the county could be free to a few dollars per test, it's well worth it in the long run..


a good key is if that if your crop that your growing this year does recommend that you grow in the same area the following year rotate it with a crop that can handle the same levels of ph and nutrients.


the wife went down to the co op ext today to pick up some soil kits since I was intrigued on our soil condition as well as the virgin land i am planning on planting and what their recommendations are
she was asked what we are growing since the only things are perennials here is blackberries and kiwis, she was ask if we where interested in getting involved in the spotted wing drosophila study.

here's the high point she called me to ask if it was ok, was on a overseas call to Italy on reprograming a PLC<Programmable Logic Controller>the algorithms where not set correctly at the factory , since I was on hold figure I could take a quick call.
note: never take a call while dealing with Italians, they will hang up on you...lol it only took 2 hours to get a hold of them again.

of course i said yes and i am reading up on it.....

 

[majorcatfish]

Добрый день! Девченки, выручайте.. нужен хороший рецепт пицы с салями. Планирую своих побаловать, а ничего хорошого найти не могу.

a rough Russian translation:
Good afternoon! Girls, vyručajte. need a good recipe glass plate with salami. Plan their pampered, and have a pleasant I can not find anything.

would not Google it beyond a translation , looks like a virus to me.......

 

[canesisters]

That doesn't make much sense - in either translation.

But I have a pretty good cold veggi pizza recipe..... if Tybo wants it.

 

[majorcatfish]

all they what is your password and pin........

 

[seedcorn]

Major, not to be contrary, but a healthy garden will not be helped with a soil test.

Now if it's not healthy, by all means start with a soil test. Or if I'm planting a very temperamental plant, start with soil test. But if I have a healthy garden, I would not change anything regardless what a soil test said.

Secret to a great garden? Somehow convert your soil type to a sandy, clay loam with a high organic matter and make it rain timely. Oh yes, add sunlight.

 

[Southern Gardener]

There are so many good benefits to compost that I'd suggest you not give up on it. Compost pH can be a bit high, which means it is alkaline. Most vegetables prefer the soil a bit acidic. That sounds like a great topic to discuss with your Master Gardener instructor. If they are anything like the few I've known I bet they will be horrified to think you've given up on compost. I doubt it will be anywhere near the problem you imagine. The volume of the compost versus the volume of the soil it is mixed with makes a difference. And there are easy fixes if your pH gets too high.

Oh, I'm not giving up on composting! But my pH on my garden read 7.28 - and the herb garden read 7.5 -

Here is the reading on the vegetable garden:

pH - 7.28 - very high
Phosphorus, ppm - 97.47 - very high
Potassium, ppm - 172,07 - very high
Calcium, ppm - 1,853.16 - very high
Magnesium, ppm - 363.43 - very high
Sodium, ppm - 78.23 - optimum
Sulfur, ppm - 8.81 - low
Copper, ppm 2.03 - high
zinc, ppm - 10.82 - high
Soil Texture: silt loam

The instructor said my soil was great and the only thing to add would be nitrogen when planting. Any rebuttals?

 

[897tgigvib]

hmmm, you could get a tablespoon of agricultural sulfur, mix it in a bucket of compost, and spread it around your gardens...maybe? ask your teacher first though