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  • From: EarthNSky <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>
  • To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] Increasing Fertility
  • Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:04:03 -0500

http://learningstore.uwex.edu/pdf/A3635.pdf
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/2279.htm
http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~blpprt/bestwoodash.html
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$Department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex3435

Rob,
the above links talk about using wood ashes on your fields. One of them, the second one says "One ton of alfalfa hay contains about six pounds of P (14 pounds of P2O5) and 48 pounds of K (56 pounds of K2O)."
That gives me an idea...To add back, it might be cheaper to find and buy up some old round bales of alfalfa, moldy stuff that can no longer be fed. If you could work that in, it might help.
The other site says that one ton of wood ash provides 25-70 pounds of potash and 30-32 pounds of phosphate..
I've never used greensand or rock phosphate, but I think they are rather expensive. I don't know what you are prepared to pay, or how often you intend to rework the fields, but I just wanted you to consider other alternatives. I have no idea of where I would buy wood ash. I know it is used or produced in some industries, so it might take some research to find a source. OTOH, you could find a field that has been slashed and burned for a new subdivision or something, and talk to the bulldozer operator. That's the way I would do it,,,try to find a big burn pile, get a dozer to load my truck and then drive my truck around the pasture tossing out shovels full of ash over the pasture. It would probably take a few days or a week or more to do it, but it could be a cheap way if you could find a willing source.
It sounds like your pastures were once overcropped or monocropped, too. I've been told that cotton and corn were grown on mine 100 years ago, totally depleting the soil nutrients. Over the last 40-50 years, the owners have not used the pasture except for the occasional horse or cow, so the land is recovering. I've planted legumes and clovers, and had my soil tested. Luckily, everything is now in decent shape, but I could use some lime. Maybe I will be able to afford that this time next year, or in 2010. I've got some legumes still, but I could probably have a thicker stand if I limed.

The following link is about liming. I know, Rob, that you have already limed, but thought it might interest someone else.
http://tinyurl.com/5luu9k

Bev

Robert Walton wrote:
My soils are really deficient in Phosphorus and Potash. I'm thinking
to make a (big) purchase of rock phosphate and green sand to broadcast
on the 2 acres of fields I have tilled and am actively working on. If
I have those nutrients, I can grow my nitrogen. Once I have the
nutrients close to livable levels, I can probably maintain with
manure. Right now, I don't think I can get there with what manure I
can find or have made here.

Does anyone have any experience in using rock phosphate or green sand?
How much did you apply? What were the results?

Thanks,

Rob - Va
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