From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Ont ([email protected])

When fall comes, what do you add to the soil in preperation for pumpkins and in what quantity? Do you add it again in the spring? I have a new peice of land that I am trying to prepair for next year.

9/7/2008 1:13:03 AM

Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

Don't add anything until you have soil test results. Otherwise you have no idea what your soil needs.

9/7/2008 4:58:37 AM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

J

I wouldn't go as far as to say 'don't add anything'. You do need to add organic material and in large quantities. Depending on how big your patch is I would get as many maple leaves as you can steal along the curb and get them incorperated into your soil. In our main patch we worked in 80-90 bags of leaves last fall (65 x 65). I would also suggest finding some well aged and composted manure and/or compost and get that worked in as well. We try to add 2-4 yards per plant per year of this type of material. Get it all worked in. I would suggest doing all this and soil test in the spring. Then you can decide if you need to add any comercial fertilizer to fix any deficiancies. I would be happy to look at your soil test when you get it back

John

9/7/2008 7:28:51 AM

Ont ([email protected])

Thanks,
Is it a good idea to go ahead and add things like alfalfa meal, kelp meal, fish meal and gypsum? Any thing else?

Justin

9/7/2008 1:13:48 PM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

I would save the kelp, fish and alfalfa for the spring. Fall application of Humic acid is excellent at 50 lbs/ 1000ft2. What is your soil type? Do you have an indication on soil pH? If you have reason to suspect your pH and or your Calcium are low, then a fall soil test may be in order as this is the best time to apply lime or Gypsum. If you pH is high and you are considering adding sulfur, then spring is the time to apply it.

9/7/2008 1:23:10 PM

Ont ([email protected])

Hey,
My soil is clay. This was acualy my first year growing so I still have lots to learn. I will be using the same peice of land next year. This year my biggest is actuly a squash at est 600 Lbs. and still growing. Last year I added kelp, alfalfa, fish and gypsom in the spring without any soil test. here is a link to where I would get a soil test if I knew wich one was the best option.
http://www.alcanada.com/indexx.php
I have never had i soil test and am lost when the subject comes up. Any help is appreciated.

9/7/2008 11:59:59 PM

Ont ([email protected])

What is Humic acid, how important is it, what does it do and were do you get it?

9/8/2008 12:04:09 AM

Colorado Springs.Co

Humic acid is decayed vegetation buried deep in the ground. Its what becomes coal if left alone for a couple hundred thousand years or more. It's mined then refined and is a great source of nutrients for your patch. My research was done awhile ago. Others should add more info.

9/8/2008 2:30:09 AM

South East

J barr, anong other things, humic acid can to an extendt feed fungal life, and support other things in your soil. Its also acts as chelator, making fixed nutrients availabe. Both humic and fulvic acid, can be beneficial to your plant. Adding it in spring soil prep as in a granular form. And the liquid version, in your compost tea, or diluted as a foliar. It seems an essential part of plantcare for many of the very best growers. You can order it online.

And by the way a 600 lbs squash in your first year growing is awsome! Hope it keeps packing the lbs for you!!

9/8/2008 7:56:53 AM