Market Farming

["Peg Cook" <pegcook AT northnet.org>]

Michaele,
I often see this as more of a problem in organic soils and Organic Growers,
since many use solely compost or manure.  The train of thought is that
compost is good (which it is), so, lets keep piling it on.  If this is done
without regard to the other nutrients (Phosphorus and Potash), then, you
have one main element in the soil that is throwing the soil SYSTEM out of
balance.  In the number of samples that I have tested (and I have been doing
this since God was a little boy), it does not seem to matter what soil type
it is.  I have seen very high organic matter levels in sandy soils with
deficient Phosphorus and low Potash levels.  There could be some leaching of
nutrients, but, normally, especially Phosphorus, does not leach and becomes
deficient through crop removal and being tied up in the soil.

Peg Cook, Agronomist
Cook's Consulting

pegcook AT northnet.org

----- Original Message -----
From: Michaele Blakely <mjb AT premier1.net>
To: market farming <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
Sent: Saturday, February 26, 2000 8:52 PM
Subject: Re: Re:soil tests


>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Peg Cook <pegcook AT northnet.org>
> To: market farming <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
> Sent: Saturday, February 26, 2000 1:53 PM
> Subject: Re: Re:soil tests
>
>
> > I usually shoot for the % Base Saturation of Calcium @ 80%, Magnesium @
> 10%
> > and Potash @ 5%.  With the OM levels so high, I would recommend NOT
> applying
> > organic materials, like compost, manure, etc. for a year to help bring
> down
> > the Nitrogen some and help the soil system balance out.
> >
> > Peg Cook, Agronomist
> > Cook's Consulting
> >
> > Generally speaking, is this sort of thing seen in organic soils that
have
> a pretty good soil building program going for a length of time, i.e
compost,
> manure applications, cover cropping ?  Does it occur in different types of
> soil more readily than others?  And isn't this a little different than
> wanting to restrict symphylan activity?
> Thanks
> Michaele
> Growing Things
> Carnation WA
>
>
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