From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Ohio

Anyone send there soil samples to A&L Labs in California? Just wondering how long it took them to get there results back by email? I sent mine in about 14 days ago and nothing yet. Usually I have mine in less then 5 days. Maybe they are busy because of the spring soil sample rush?.lol

4/8/2009 5:48:18 PM

Murfreesboro, TN, USA

Hey Brooks, I think you might be right, I always try to get my sample to the local extension office as early as possible just for that reason. They even told me that the results could take twice as long to receive if you I were to wait to have them done in March/April verses February. I am using a state university as where you are using a lab. Who knows what kind of back log they might have.

4/8/2009 5:56:01 PM

Ohio

I would have liked to have sent my samples in earlier, but I wanted to give my fall prep amendments a chance to settle in longer for a more accurate reading that was more closer to planting time.
Im still ok if they get them to me within the next week or so but anything after that Ill start to worry,,lol.
I just dont want my sample to be lost in the mail to where Ill have to send in another sample that might put me behind at the last minute in case more amendments are needed. Other then that I want to start growing! Im ready!!,,lol

4/8/2009 6:16:50 PM

Santa Rosa, CA

Brooks,

I mailed a soil sample to the Modesto, CA location of A & L Labs on Friday, March 20th. They e-mailed the results back to me on Wednesday March 25th.

You may want to call them and provide an e-mail address. It could be that pumpkin growers and farmers are sending in a high volume of samples before planting time.

Chuck

4/8/2009 7:08:26 PM

Sparta, NC

Brooks,

I have had to call them the last 2 times to get them to email mine. Seems like they forgot both times.

Sam

4/8/2009 8:41:53 PM

Upstate S.C.

I used A and L labs Virgina and had my results back in days. Sambo that might be the route you take or anyone else in the south..

4/8/2009 9:05:20 PM

Santa Rosa, CA.

First time I used A&L the email ended up in my spam folder. Check for an email from "Reports" with an attachment.

4/8/2009 9:28:05 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Brooks,
I got my test results emailed back to me from the Modesto Lab in 5 days.
Call them bro.

4/8/2009 9:28:05 PM

Colorado Springs, Co ([email protected])

brooks, same story as above, i did have to call them to email them to me. mine were done in 5 days but i had to wait over the weekend to call them and have them email them to me. they do it immediately after you call them though. I cant complain really.

4/8/2009 10:04:28 PM

Ohio

Thanks Guys, Ill give em a call today.

4/9/2009 6:02:31 AM

Hey, Brooks, did you remember to pay them? They accept Visa, MasterCard, and 1068 Wallaces.

4/9/2009 11:15:05 AM

Webster, NY

The files come as a pdf file and have a strange heading. Mine had a subject line like this:

Emailing: 99999gsoil08-322-027.pdf

I think that sometimes a tough virus protection program my consider them a dangerous file. My virus program thought it was spam and put it in a folder that I normally wouldn't have looked at.

4/9/2009 3:19:02 PM

Santa Rosa, CA

Brooks,

P.S. When you get the e-mail, the report is easier to read if you print it in "landscape."

Chuck

4/9/2009 5:08:16 PM

Ohio

Got it today, called them and they sent it to my email in less then 5 minutes.

4/9/2009 6:12:00 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

How's it look, Brooks? Peace,Wayne

4/9/2009 8:14:03 PM

Ohio

Not to bad Wayne,only problem I see,which isnt a huge problem, is that my Potassium is very high (K-1435 ppm),I think I kinda over did it in my fall prep.
I also want to bring my Calcium (Ca-2844 ppm)up a tad more, and will add about 200lbs more gypsum tomorrow.
I brought my PH up from 6.2 to 7.3, thats just a little higher then I wanted it but still not bad,I can deal with my pH being a little high because this will drop through out the season. So really its not looking to bad, just need to do the fine tune tweeking,,lol.

4/9/2009 10:07:44 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Thanks Brooks...you think (6.8 being optimum) that a half point high is better than .6 low? Just wanting to learn here, and as you said ...this will drop thru the season...so I guess starting a little high is better?
PS...have you heard about the liquid calcium product on the market? Sounds a lot easier, and simpler than bags of gypsum!!! Peace, Wayne

4/10/2009 2:39:44 AM

Ohio

Im still learning about soil tests/amendments but Im learning more and more each year from the guys who grow the monsters. Before I add anything to my soil I always asks the guys who know what they are doing first,,lol

I think 6.8 is good Wayne, I would get another test done mid season to see where your at, thats what I always do. You will be surprised how much your ph drops by season end.

I Been thinking about using that Liquid Gypsum but havnt read up on it enough yet, it seems like it is good stuff.

4/10/2009 9:24:39 AM