Re: Re: Re: soil samples

Posted by paul on February 14, 2002 at 09:42:38 from (199.3.9.7):

In Reply to: Re: Re: soil samples posted by lpc on February 14, 2002 at 09:10:50:

How complicated do you want this to get? Core samples, twin samples of topsoil & sub soil, etc. etc. etc.

I would call the coop guy again & ask what they want, & if it can be dried.....

You will probably get a test for N, P, & K, with a ph test. They can go on & on, for boron, molly, zinc, copper, and more... But to get you started on a hay field, those first 4 should get you started. Get them up to snuff, and you can go on from there.

It will be helpful to know what was there, and to be able to say exactly what you want to plant in the future. Do you just want to spruce up what is there now? Or are you going to plant a new stand, and will it be a mixed stand or solid grass hay or alfalfa? That can change what you want to build up in the soil a bit.

But frankly, I bet you end up with a general off the shelf mix of the basics and that will suit you fine on an 18 acre field. It will just be nice to know where you are starting from, and if you have a serious deficiency or surplus of any of the basic needs. For hay crops that have nitrogen fixing alfalfa or clover in them, you can spread 2-5 years worth of P & K, as those don't move through the soil very fast & will store well - the clover will supply some N. Most of these it's best to incorporate into the soil, if you planned to work the ground at all, or even just drag it a bit. N tends to evaporate in a day or 2 if it sits on the soil surface, and P & K tend to sit on the surface & not go anywhere - they need to get into the soil where the roots are.

--->Paul

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