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South Dakota

Since April 27 we have gotten 7 1/2 inches of moisture and my patch has been completely under water twice as a result. I took my spring soil test before getting all the precipitation, but wonder if the results would be remotely accurate after being under water twice and never really ever getting dried out. I applied my amendments yesterday to a third of my patch because only that much was finally dry enough for incorporating. Guess what, thunderstorm last night dumped an inch - thirty in about an hour. My patch again has standing water everywhere and water is running out the drainage end of the patch down to the storm sewer. All but the sulfur is water soluble, so do you think there is any left in the patch? I really feel like this year is going to be a crap shoot fertility wise. Do you think I should get another soil test after things dry out? Fifty bucks a pop for soil test, so really don't want to if everybody thinks it would be a waste of money.

5/18/2019 6:04:30 PM

Central Illinois

You really have to have it tested to know what has happened,I dont know if you could add a percentage of new amendments to make up for the lose. Meaning maybe add 10% of what you originally did.

5/19/2019 9:26:42 AM

Rapid City, SD

that is the reason i only ammend a small protion at a time now.....5 x 5 until plant lays down....then i got out a couple feet at a time

5/20/2019 9:23:07 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Nitrogen is probably the nutrient that will leach out fastest. Some nutrients are soluble, but attach to the soil and are then harder to wash out. 2014 was real wet for me and my garden flooded real deep. But somehow I managed to grow a state record long gourd without adding any more fertilizer. So you never know. Maybe just watch your plants for signs of deficiencies ans add fertilizer accordingly.

5/20/2019 10:35:06 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

I think that in the situation you are talking about that the best thing to do would be get another soil test. But, first wait until things dry out a bit. If you don't, you will have no idea what is left in the soil. This is one of the reasons that I am trying to grow more organically. There is a lot less leeching as the microbes have not yet broken a lot of the nutrients into a form that could be leeched out. Too much rain is bad for all of us, but worse for those using water soluble products. What is happening to you is a reason to consider fertigation, adding the nutrients for your patch into your watering system and slowly adding them to your soil all season long. When it dries get a new soil test and start over. The season is young and hopefully your plants are not yet in the soil or, if so, are protected. In other words. start over with the soil.

5/21/2019 7:23:06 AM

Colorado

Soil type will be a big factor. Clay will leach less than sand.

5/21/2019 2:13:45 PM