Re: CEC CHAT
In a message dated 12/9/99 3:23:10 PM Eastern Standard Time,
brocfarm@pacific.pacific.net writes:
<< >Matter. That sounds true, as in my case my Om is always between 21% and
>28% and
>my CEC is around 40. Now Chris also has a CEC of around 40 but his OM is
>8.2%....What's happening here? Clay is something that I've never had to
deal
>with in my soil but Chris has an "extremely heavy" clay soil, yet our CEC is
>about the same. Would the addition of Clay be more benificial than the
>addition
>of OM to raise the CEC ? Normally we try to get rid of clay for better
>drainage . Is my idea of "clay" wrong when I think of it as something
slimly,
>impenetrable, and could be used on a potter's wheel?......
> I'm enjoying these soil comparisons made available from the "great"
>growers. Perhaps Brock, by charting many results, you will someday find the
>key percentages to the "perfect soil" ....Ken Reinsborough
> >>
Ken,
Clay is a very important component of a good garden topsoil. 10 or 15%
clay in a combination with sand, silt , and organic matter is a good thing.
If you have 80% clay you have the slimy sticky pottery stuff.....too much of
a good thing. Clay has been getting a bad rap for years. Fertilizer can
attach to clay particles, just like they attach to organic matter. When you
get high levels of clay, you lose the porosity and ability of the roots to
get oxygen.
pumkinguy
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