Help Improve Your Soil

PHOSPHORUS (P) is aptly referred to as the “power broker” in many publications because it controls the root system, seed, and flower development in plant life, as well as the processes of cell division and sugar formation. Perhaps a better name would be "The Pod Father"

In order to raise a low phosphorus level, compare your reading (found on your copy of the soil test report) to the listing below and follow the guideline.

01- 20 PPM; Apply soft rock phosphate or bonemeal at a rate of 50 lbs per thousand square feet.
21-30 PPM; Apply at a rate of 25 lbs. per thousand square feet.
30-50 PPM; Apply at a rate of 12 lbs. per thousand square feet. That's not that hard now, it it?

Take note that high readings (excessive amounts of phosphates) are indicative of soil that has a low pH level. The trapped phosphorus is released when the correct amount of lime is applied. For more detailed information please visit my Soil Chemistry page.

POTASSIUM (K) is the "universal helper.” It stimulates rooting, photosynthesis, chlorophyll formation, starch formation, and sugar functions. Adequate levels of K reduce susceptibility to insect and disease outbreaks. Low soil test levels indicate the need for K fertilization, especially in soils with a low cation exchange capacity (CEC).

If the CEC is low, I recommend increasing your soils OM level to help increase K availability.
Soils which are predominately clay, have tight, lattice-like structures that keep potassium unavailable to the plant and typically test low. Conversion to organic gardening will naturally release unavailable K in the soil in the future.

For now you need to amend the soil with sulfate of potash, kelp meal or wood ash at the following rates.

0-100 PPM Apply 20lbs. per 1,000 square feet for kelp meal, orApply 15lbs. per 1,000 square feet for wood ash, orApply 7lbs. per 1,000 square feet for sulfate of potash

101-150 PPM Apply 13lbs. per 1,000 square feet for kelp meal, orApply 10lbs. per 1,000 square feet for wood ash, orApply 5lbs. per 1,000 square feet for sulfate of potash

151- 250 PPM Apply 7lbs. per 1,000 square feet for kelp meal,Apply 5lbs. per 1,000 square feet for wood ash,Apply 3lbs. per 1,000 square feet for sulfate of potash
If soil test levels are over 250 no further K remediation is required other than regular organic fertilizer.

MAGNESIUM (Mg) is considered a secondary macro nutrient. The chlorophyll molecule is built around the atom on Mg, so this nutrient is essential to plant growth and viability. Clay soil often contains excessive amounts of Mg which can cause anaerobic (oxygen deprived) conditions due to soil density. Excessive Mg can also cause N, P & K deficiencies.
The nitrification process becomes reversed and nitrate is formed in a process called denitrification.
Under these circumstances Organic matter is processed into methanol which is toxic to the soil microbiology. The result is lifeless, sticky soil which becomes easily waterlogged during rainy periods and will not absorb water when it has become hard during dry times.

Less than 150 PPM,Apply 50lbs. of dolomitic lime per 1,000 square feet

151-300 PPM,Normal range, no other amending except for quality organic fertilizer which will naturally contain Mg

301 PPM and higher,Apply 100 lbs. of Gypsum per 1,000 square feet and re test the following season.

CALCIUM (Ca) is considered a secondary macro nutrient but it is considered the most important element for the following reasons. Ca helps to form stable soil aggregates which give the soil structural capacity to hold nutrients and absorb water and air. Soil with these characteristics promote prolific microbial growth and earthworm activity. Ca helps to neutralize toxins, assists in root development and carbohydrate movement as well as being involved in protein synthesis and reproductive tissue.

CATION EXCHANGE CAPACITY (CEC) is the capacity for holding cations (Ca, Mg, K, and Na). This capacity is influenced by the amount of clay and humus present.It is measured from 0 for pure sand to 100 for pure humus. High quality soils range from 18-25 the best getting as high as 35. If your have a high CEC value it is holding a lot of nutrients which can be released for plant and microbial growth.

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