Cultivating The Soil
Notes for Dec 2022
The Bandera County Extension Office provided sacks for soil samples, as well as the forms to fill out, to send to the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Soil Testing Lab.
It only took about 10 days for them to test my soil & email the results.
Their first finding is that my pH level is 8.0, so it is very alkaline. No wonder, I am on a limestone rock here. Most of my veggies need to be about 6.0.
Their second major finding has to do with primary nutrients N-P-K, secondary nutrients, and micro nutrients.
As reference, the primary nutrients are:
N = Nitrogen = Necessary for Strong Leaves & Good Color
P = Phosphorus = Necessary for Roots & Fruits
K = Potassium = Necessary for overall Plant Health & Disease Resistance
The Soil Testing Lab found the following about my primary nutrients:
( 1 ) My nitrogen ( N ) is too low. They recommend that I add 1 lb per 1000 square feet at planting, and then every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season.
( 2 ) My phosphorus ( P ) is way high. They recommend not adding any phosphorus for 5 years, and to send soil samples to test annually.
( 3 ) My potassium ( K ) is good.
( 4 ) Secondary nutrients are at a good level.
( 5 ) Micronutrients are at a good level.
Rainbow Gardens has nitrogen 12.0.0, phosphorus 0.12.0, and potassium 0.0.12, as well as secondary & micronutrients. They also have aluminum sulfate which reduces alkanity. I had already purchased all these prior to sending the soil samples to the lab. So I am armed with nitrogen. As for amending the pH level, I need to understand how & when to use the aluminum sulfate. More to come on pH levels & nutrients.
Other ways to cultivate my soil:
( 1 ) My pastures are full of cow patties. When I cut the asparagus back to 1 inch, I gather up cow patties, put them in our cement mixer to chunk them finely, then spread that on the asparagus bed. I could consider doing this in some of the other raised beds while over-wintering.
( 2 ) I have lots of chickens, and so lots of chicken poo. Chicken poo also is rich with nutrients - too rich to put right on the beds while plants are growing. Chicken poo will burn the plants. But, I just prepped the beds to over-winter, so now would be a great time to spread chicken poo in the beds.
( 3 ) I have 3 compost bins. One is composting, one is filling, and one is using. Anything that the chickens won't eat goes into compost. I can sift & spread the compost over the beds to soak in while overwintering.
( 4 ) I am learning to do Vermiculture / Vermicomposting, but I am in early stages here. It is actually really messy. I am about ready to just put my red wigglers into my beds, and just feed them directly in the beds rather than dealing with the indoor mess.
( 5 ) I bought a 5 pound bag of cover crop seeds from True Leaf Market to over-winter my beds. I planted 3 of the beds, and the seeds germinated right away, and are growing well. These supposedly introduce nutrients back into the soil. Here is the amazing thing: Every type of seed in this bag grows veggies that are edible ! I just pulled up a couple pounds of Daikon Radishes & need to pickle them or ferment them now !! There are also beans & peas & other delicious edibles !