Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[Emery Mitchamore <emitch@att.net>]

Not disagreeing with your point at all, but there are times when tests do identify deficiencies that can be corrected, so if you can afford to, have the soil test, take any steps that seem reasonable AND add all the organic matter you can.

On Mar 21, 2010, at 8:17 PM, Tradingpost wrote:

Yes! I wanted to say something like that, and you're running interference for me ... add organic matter. Why? Organic matter, compost adds fiber to sandy soil, loosens clay soil, drains excess water, holds moisture better, buffers pH, makes soil more hospitable to earthworms and microbes, and adds major nutrients and trace minerals in a form soil microbes can feed plants.

IMHO we simply can't micromanage soil nutrients or add a bit of this or that and expect that to solve some problem, mostly because soil science itself is in its infancy. Translation: the experts don't know enough about it.

paul tradingpost@lobo.net


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On 3/21/2010 at 4:48 PM Ken Hargesheimer wrote:

In TX, the Ag Ext. does it by sending it to some lab but I suggest you

use an organic test and that cost nearly $100. Only one or two can do it

here.

 

I had one and 2 yrs later another one.  My opinion is that it is a poor

use of money. Do three things and do not worry about the soil.

 

1. Add organic matter

2.Add organic matter

3.Add organic matter

 

Ken Hargesheimer

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E. E. "Mitch"  Mitchamore

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