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Jasper, Indiana

I have applied 16,000 lbs of compost and about 3" of shreaded leaves to the patch...2,300 sqft. I have many more leaves that I can use on the patch....just not sure how many leaves to apply without affecting the PH.

How much lime is recommended to nuetralize the acid in the leaves.....I'm thinking about 200 lbs.

I am turning the soil this weekend and then will apply fresh horse manure.....any suggestions on how much manure I should add?

10/19/2010 7:10:06 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

Did you get a soil test before doing this?

10/19/2010 9:05:00 AM

Jasper, Indiana

No.....my current goal is getting the soil built back up and adding organic matter and I was planning on getting a soil test performed early next spring.

10/19/2010 10:07:19 AM

A soil test is the first requirement,,period!

10/19/2010 12:13:00 PM

Bloomington, IN

I agree a soil test is very important. I mailed my sample to A&L West on a Friday and had my results by email the following Thursday.

However, if you opt not to get soil test done this fall, after those pumpkins you grew this year, I think its a safe bet to guess your soil could use some calcium and potassium. If your soil is anything like mine a light dusting of lime every year would be benificial. For potassium I'd add some potassium sulfate. This guy on ebay has the best deal I've been able to find on the stuff:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170398576979&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

10/20/2010 12:44:31 PM

Ohio

Buckhunter, I myself would feel very comfortable adding what you did as far as compost/leaves, even if I didnt have a soil test done yet.

even with out a soil test ''at this point'' you will be OK, I have never seen any grower NOT add compost or shredded leaves to their patch ''every'' year because a soil test said not too add it,,lol,, But again I could be wrong.

Any grower on here ever get a soil test back saying not to add compost before?,,lol ( I can see if you had a organic matter reading thats threw the roof ,,but how many growers is really that high that it matters? Don Young's patch was at what at one time, 24% or something like that? I bet he still adds compost/manures the following year?.

10/21/2010 7:22:23 AM

Jasper, Indiana

thanks everyone......That was my thinking on the compost and leaves...hard to get too much....especially for a new patch like mine.

We are plowing and tilling this Friday and then I will wait about 1 month and send off a soil test. I agree that I need a fall test to be able to accurately apply enough of the important "stuff" to get everthing balanced.

Then I will get another soil test this spring and ammend again.

10/21/2010 7:32:07 AM

Jasper, Indiana

thanks pumpkin cholo......I will check out EBAY.

10/21/2010 7:34:28 AM

Ohio

sorry, missed the part on how much lime you asked to add,,, and I 100% agree!!, get a soil test done before making that call.

10/21/2010 7:48:38 AM