Re: Soil Test
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: Soil Test
- From: L* <L*@aol.com>
- Date: Sat, 6 Dec 1997 12:59:01 EST
Beth:
What I look at more than anything else in my soil sample report is the amount
of organic matter, pH, Mg, Ca, K, P and N. The reason to tell the testing lab
what you are growing is that they have a concept of what would be ideal soil
for that crop. When they tell you what they think you should add, they are
trying to bring your soil up to their standard. There are many other things
you can test for but their usefullness is unclear to me. The lab at Penn State
University doesn't even check for Nitrogen as they believe there is no
acceptable test measuring availability of nitrogen to your plants. They also
will do an analysis of your plants to tell you what got into your plant from
your soil; is your plant low on K etc.?
Sometimes I think soil recommendations are akin to people talking about their
personal vitamin requirements. Maybe noone really knows the total answer.
Marv in Altoona PA
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