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Santa Cruz, CA

My brother is starting his first pumpkin patch this week. The soil has not been amended and he has sandy soil. What should he add to get his soil ready for his seedling later in the week? My soil is more on the clay side so I'm not sure what to tell him with sandy soil. Thanks- Kristine (and brother John)

5/2/2006 11:33:54 AM

I'd say organic matter like compost or composted manure if you can find some. I think it's too late in the spring to be adding fresh manure.

5/2/2006 11:47:01 AM

Brig is right get as much of those in the dirt as possible and get a handle on a good fertilizer program for this year. Both to the soil and as foliars, grow a biggie!!!

5/2/2006 1:04:29 PM

Midwest

At this point, what's going to give you the most bang for the buck? The above will do that. Plus, you might consider applying humic/fulvic acid before planting. Also, apply some food for the biology ie. molasses. Depending on soil pH, apply calcium in the form of dolomite lime or gypsum. The Ca:Mg ratio ideally would be 3:1 to slow movement of water. Sandy soil might be deficient in trace elements. There are many products with trace elements that aren't too expensive (oh. seaweed and/or kelp are nice).
Best wishes

5/2/2006 1:37:12 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Yepper....old aged fully decayed manures &/or compost. Fresh manure will result in too much N.

Slow release synthetic fetilizer such as Osmocote or a natural organic like Nature Safe Healthy Start will stick around in sandy soils too.

5/2/2006 3:17:34 PM

Nipomo, California

I have been blessed-(cursed) with sandy soil also. What's the good word on Kelp Meal? Chock full of trace elements I bet. Just a little hard to find.

5/2/2006 6:03:00 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Kelp Meal is a good source of potash, micro-nutrients & plant hormones. It isn't hard to find around here but we're a little closer to the source.

5/2/2006 6:13:14 PM

Nipomo, California

Nope. I live 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Just a lot of work to pick it up off the beach for me. Done it in the past,,,,never do it again.

5/2/2006 7:30:56 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I'm surprised then that no one is processing & bagging it as is done around here. But then I've seen it sold for $1.00/lb so the margins must be pretty good.

5/2/2006 11:19:36 PM