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Entry Date
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Nick Name
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Location
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Saturday, April 06, 2024
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Matt D.
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Connecticut
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Entry 3 of 116 |
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Adding Amendments
Here is the line-up of nutrients added to the growing site for this year. While there may be a bag of each shown in the image this does not represent the exact quantity added. For the actual numbers this is calculated with the results of a soil test. However, the list is as follows that was applied over about 1,100sq.ft. of growing space…
-Calcitic lime (50 lb)
-Peat Moss (33 cubic feet added)
-Gypsum (160 lb)
-Sulphate of Potash (0-0-50) (30lb)
Micronutrients
-Ironite (14 lb)
-Borax (1 lb)
-Zinc Sulfate (0.5 lb)
-Manganese Sulfate (3 lb)
-Copper Sulfate (0.5 lb)
While manures can be effective, only leaf-based compost that was added five years ago and has been serving as the base soil amendment. This has increased overall organic matter and since it is in the target range no more has been added. This is part of a new concept being referred to as “Soil-Hydro” (with hydro being short for hydroponics which by definition is grown plants without soil). This odd word choice is used because the idea is that the soil is providing the base substrate to grow the plant and the grower will add in what the plant needs to “eat” during the season much like a hydroponic growing set-up would require.
This Soil-Hydro concept offers the stability of soils buffering capacity along with the depth the giant pumpkins roots can expand along with the added bonus for growers to dial in different nutrients that can be timed with the stage of plant growth creating the best of both worlds.
Soil Management Practice Comparison for yield and quality of pumpkin:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350763593_Yield_and_Quality_of_Lettuce_Pumpkin_and_Watermelon_Varieties_Grown_Under_Five_Soil_Management_Practices
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