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Little-TON - Colorado

Second year in a row a World Record has been grown in a virgin patch.

What is in fresh virgin soil that depletes after we plant year after year? IZ there a secret ingredient missing.....is it Biology? Worms? Mico? Trace Elements? O2? ...? I have always noticed when I start a new flower bed, just turning over the sod, the first years growth is phenomenal ....then it tapers down a bit.....But we add lots of ammendments...?? Thoughts......?

2/27/2008 9:13:04 AM

Northern Cambria, Pa.

The 1131 in 1999 was also grown in new dirt. It may be more important to ask what is NOT in new dirt, and that would be harmful fungus and bacteria. Time for Steve to chime in.

2/27/2008 10:39:53 AM

Colorado

whizze,you could possibly set a state record if you till up your front yard.how about it?

2/27/2008 11:07:44 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Back yard Joe, Back yard...And yes CoJoe we do have new dirt this year at Jareds.....he he....Better plant your 998 Joe.....

2/27/2008 1:24:30 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Im planning on a new state record for COLORADO too, just dont know if it coming from Barry's, patch or mine........lol

2/27/2008 1:26:04 PM

Salem, OR

The 1262 Emmons world record was planted in an innoculated patch, too. Larry's right, it's pathogens that hold us back. So, should we sterilize our soil every few year and then reintroduce beneficial fungi and bacteria after everything's been killed off? I'm surprised that more people haven't talked about this over the years (or maybe I've just missed it).

2/27/2008 1:28:18 PM

Salem, OR

Some other big Northwest pumpkins this year were grown in new patches, I believe. I'm convinced that there's a pattern here. Maybe I need to fork out the big bucks this year for a root pathogen report on my soil test. How many of you do this?

2/27/2008 1:31:27 PM

southwest MO

Does anyone know if the 1662 or the 1631 was grown in new dirt?

2/27/2008 1:39:19 PM

my 1662 was grown in 4 year old patch-i did add benefical bacteria

2/27/2008 2:47:02 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

First yr i grew on my current patch I grew a 453. But I have added a lot of new soil and manure/leaves, so that should help.

WIz you have a lot of competion for that state record.
Barry
CO JOE
BIZZZZ
Mad Mann
Longmont pete (ok his wife really grows em lol)
Gary
Pastor
Tomato man
Spencer (I have to come up with a nick name, that he wont take offence to lol)
CCW

2/27/2008 4:08:20 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

I beleive that crop rotation is important.Like planting corn after alfalfa ussually brings a little higher yeild. Even if we bring in a lot of soil ammendments, we still rely on what is in the soil.

Crop rotation may be a key. i may plant something this fall in the patch to see if it helps.

2/27/2008 4:10:39 PM

Danville, CA ([email protected])

I think it has to do with the fact that we "do" alot to the soil during the grow season. Fungucide, insecticide... I think the move towards organic will/has helped tremendously. Does it need to be virgin, probably not, but maybe it needs several years of organic growing. Adding of organic material such as myco, bene bacteria, etc. to bring it back to near virgin and avoiding chemicals is probably what is going to help the most.

2/27/2008 5:55:11 PM

[email protected]

There is nothing special that is IN fresh soil.

It is what ISN'T in fresh soil. Pathogens that cause soil borne diseases catch up to us all eventually.

2/27/2008 6:14:56 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

I believe that patch rotation is the key(something in line with what CCW said). Allowing a patch to sit with a replenishing crop or even grass for three years or more will allow the soil to "even itself out".

Doctor Liggett is on such a rotation schedule and look what he's done over the past few years.

2/27/2008 7:28:51 PM

San Diego, Ca.

A couple people have mentioned adding benefical bacteria to their soil in addition to Myco. What exactly is meant by that? Are we talking about teas or something else?

2/27/2008 10:22:16 PM

Rhode Island

an expert on soil was recently asked at a seminar

why is it our giant pumpkins seem to grow biggest the first year in new soil?

answer - bacteria ---beneficial bacterial --- and lots of it are in that new patch

pap

2/28/2008 6:32:28 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Thats our job...to figure out what we can do to provide either a better environment for the good bacteria to survive, or innoculate our environment with the benefical abundence to increase their populations, I do believe its what is in the soil over whats not.....we hope its more of good guys, so it can out compete the non beneficial biology........If that means more of a bacterial compost tea or lean towards more fungal tea as the bacteria feeds on fungal food.....I cant wait for Dr Linderman.....

2/28/2008 9:22:49 AM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

speaking of good bacteria, what kind of molasses do i add and how much for 1000 sq ft

2/28/2008 11:40:32 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

For "wake up juice" I have been using up to 3-4 ounces per gallon of spray.....sprayed to the dirt, and I also add in 2 ounces each of fish and seaweed also to my wizards brew.

2/28/2008 1:22:51 PM

Dummer Twp - Ontario

Well I hope the theory of new dirt works for me this year, I'm constructing a new patch starting with 3 tri-axle loads of topsoil on saturday and then some compost added in the spring - had to get it delivered before half loads go on monday. Everyone keeps telling me new patches are great for growing monsters - we will have to wait and see.

Kirk

2/28/2008 2:55:34 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

CCW, I think the key words for what kind of molasses to add are either "black strap" or "unsulphured"...find a local "feed store", for cows, and ask if they have it!!! I would guess there is a grain mill somewhere in yer neighborhood??? Hope this helps!! Peace, Wayne

2/28/2008 11:07:45 PM

San Diego, Ca.

CCW, In my area they refer to black strap molasses as "feed grade molasses". Guess it depends on where you live.
5 gallons cost me $11 at the feed store. Hope that helps.

2/29/2008 7:11:57 PM