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Sandyutahusa

Hi, New message board member here. Sandy, Utah. I have a problem with a 3.5 Salt content in my soil according to my soil test results. My PB is 340 lbs but they always stop growing in the first week of August. I'm supposed to water heavy to leach it out. How much does that take? any advice on the early halt. I keep a tarp over my pumpkin to keep the sun off. I have 7.8 organic matter and7.0 ph Thanks Terry bear 42. (year I was born)

3/10/2008 11:11:30 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

tb42, I can't help, but maybe soil prep board would bring you a quicker response.?! Hope this helps!!! Peace, Wayne

3/11/2008 12:09:25 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Gypsum and lots of it...Then water like heck to leach it..If your water has a high salinity you are in trouble.

3/11/2008 1:16:54 PM

Sandyutahusa

terrybear42 sandyutahusa Hey Shannon, Thanks for the heads up on the possibility of salt already in my water source. I did put 50 lbs of gypsum down last fall. Is that enough? my garden is exactly 1000 sq. ft. I've also used a lot of horse manure composted, any input from anyone else tb42

3/11/2008 11:33:32 PM

[email protected]

Hello Terrybear42 & welcome to BP!

WHY the salt is high is critical to correcting the issue. How if the soil's drainage? Is the water table high?

Read this article for some more info than I have time to type:

http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/soilwater/soilfert/fbd08s00.html

Since you don't live in an area that is noted for sodic soil conditions, I feel that 150 lbs of Gypsum & 12 inches of rain or "salt free" irrigation water should leach the salt if that manure & the gypsum have been tilled thoroughly.

What is the underlying subsoil like?

3/11/2008 11:56:56 PM

Sandyutahusa

Hi Tremor, I've been reading your posts for over a year. Lots of good stuff. My soil drainage is good. I live on a hill and the substrate is sandy loam.I'l try your advice and add the gypsom. On another thread, I have a couple of big trees on the north side of my yard. They have 18 birdhouses hanging up in them. they are full of sparrows and finches. They visit my garden. I have never had an svb problem and have not needed to spray for bugs. tb 42

3/12/2008 9:23:53 AM