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Upa Creek, MO

I will hopefully be getting my soil tests back soon and was wondering what range people shoot for. I went by the below in the past (most derived from Cecil's blog) , but was wondering if anyone else uses a lower or higher standard for any of the below? If anything, maybe this can help be a guideline for others who haven't seen this. Thanks

pH - 6.6 - 7

P (ppm) 160-200

K (ppm) 330-500

MG (ppm) 270-400

Ca (ppm) 3000-4000

Ca\K (ratio) 8-10

Ca\Mg 10-12

OM ?

1/31/2013 7:17:27 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Don't forget about your micronutrients..Manganese did me in one year

1/31/2013 7:38:01 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Its amazing how the Manganese and the Boron, inconjuction with everything else has gotten more important!

Looking really forward to listening to Becker in Vegas about these topics!!


Luke, wishing you a cooler year then last year :)

1/31/2013 7:46:54 PM

Partlow,Va

There is a soil study by Don Chambers on the PGPGA website with information supplied by "top growers" on some 300+ pumpkins over a 7 year period.Its really in depth and quite possibly over my head but very interesting. At its conclusion is a chart that could be used as a soil test range guide to ideal soil ranges for AG pumpkins. link...pgpga.com/article_SoilStudy.htm

2/1/2013 7:31:44 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Thanks guys, and thanks for the link, Hank.

2/1/2013 7:34:33 PM

Connecticut

Remember a lot depends on your soil type and the test that is used to evaluate your soil, Missouri has a very different soil (and climate) than Rhode Island. So, the target nutrient ranges for your soil type may be different. Also, the type of extraction solution used by the soil lab will greatly influence the results.

2/1/2013 10:14:48 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Thanks for that Matt,,,,,,, now my head really hurts! ;)

2/1/2013 11:12:54 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Thanks Matt, and sometimes I question why I send my sample off to California when there are plenty of labs here. I know A&L has dealt with many AG growers, but I can't say the same for the local ones.

2/2/2013 9:34:51 AM

Connecticut

Luke-

I am not sure where you exactly live in Missouri, but here is a link to a digital soil survey for your state...

http://soils.missouri.edu/seriesinfo/missouriseries_a.htm

As you can see there are many, many different types of soil. In my opinion sending your soil to California may not provide you with information that most closely matches your conditions. I would think the Iowa and Illinois soils would be a better representation of your patch and there are a lot of growers in this area of the country.

While, I am not familiar with your specific area, this does look like a good resource to start with...

http://extension.missouri.edu/main/DisplayCategory.aspx?C=60

List of a few general area labs: http://www.sdstate.edu/ps/extension/soil-fert/soiltestlabs.cfm

Sorry if this makes your head hurt;-)

2/2/2013 11:44:59 AM

West Paris Me.

Hank, I went to the website that you posted, thanks for posting it. I am a little confused about the part that refers to 100 lbs and then goes on to refer to pumpkins of different weights. Is this referring to tissue testing??

2/2/2013 1:37:54 PM

Torrance, Ca.

If my head is hurting, I'm learning!



I love when my head hurts!!!


Thanks Matt! ;)

2/2/2013 2:30:52 PM

Anchorage Alaska

I was always under the impression ..if you let's say.. send 4 samples of the same soil . to 4 different labs ..regardless of their location .. the results should be pretty close to being similar.. if not .. then what lab do you beleive ..lol..

2/2/2013 2:36:21 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

A soil sample is like tasting soup with an eye dropper it will only give you a indication of what your soil is like. The soil testers will tell you most variation is created by the person taking the sample

2/2/2013 2:54:26 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Thanks for the links Matt!

Dale, I guess I meant in terms of reccomendations. I think a soil scientist from the lower midwest could probably help me out more than one from another area just because he\she is familiar with our local soil and factors that affect it.... which is why I question sending my test to California.

2/2/2013 5:09:08 PM

Anchorage Alaska

Linus , I agree with you 100%, how the sample is collected is a real important part of the process.. this year I'm leaning on tissue testing..after 4 years of testing the same spot ,I already have a good idea what the soil is like .. now I need to know what the plant is assimilating or not ...

Luke, your probably right ,that idea makes good sense

2/2/2013 8:12:16 PM

Connecticut

I think sending a test far away may be better. When something different comes up to the tester they may take notice and take more care. Kind of like ... same...same...same ... same... same... yawn.... same... different, wow what is that. Cool

2/2/2013 10:36:32 PM

Puyallup, WA

Once again, I'll post the results I received back from two different soil labs several years ago. The soil was as identical as I could mix it in the bucket and sent identicals samples to each lab. I was aghast at the different reports. Even the labs will tell you that they use different techniques in their testing.....you are bound to receive different results back. I can report that Western and A&L have not given identical results.

2/3/2013 1:31:06 AM

Muddy Waters

I agree Dale I think I will go with tissue this year.I did a fall test,So I will put my money towards a tissue test this year.

2/3/2013 10:40:19 AM