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Chesterfield, MO

What would be the maximum reccomended rates for applying bone and blood meal? The soil test right now showes < 5 lbs/acre of Nitrogen and I figure I need to get that up. I plan on sticking the plants in the ground around May 1. Thanks in advance!

4/13/2004 10:49:18 PM

Montoursville, PA

Your soil test is based on using synthetic fertilizers while you are hoping to enter the season using organic products.

More important is the increasing of your humus level using manures and compost. I will be happy to give you a guiding hand if you will post your humus percentage, what you have added to your soils since the test and what the PH of the soil is.

The reason your reccommendation is high for nitrogen is because synthetic nitrogen mostly leaches out of the soil all to quickly. Your organic nitrogens will stay there and not require nearly so much to satisfy your plants needs.

4/14/2004 2:03:59 PM

Chesterfield, MO

Thanks for the reply doc. The patch I am referring to is not my home patch and I haven't applied any manures, compost or anything as of this moment. The organic matter level is hovering around 2%. The pH is around 7 (or will be after I add sulfur). This area is about 8000 sq ft, and it is not very economical for me to spread peat even though I would rather do that. Is there a general rule of no more than some amount per 1000 square feet?

4/14/2004 4:34:05 PM

Chesterfield, MO

The reason I ask is because with the nitro level < 5 lbs per acre I was thinking about adding about 150 lbs of bone meal over the 8,000 sq ft. Thanks

4/14/2004 4:36:12 PM

Chesterfield, MO

sorry that should have read * 150 lbs BLOOD meal *

4/14/2004 4:36:51 PM

Montoursville, PA

OK we work with what you have! 2% is about average field and suburban garden not improved by serious organic principles.

I suggest no manures in the Spring time unless you luck out and find some two year old which could be added anytime.

Let's apply twenty five pounds per one thousand square feet of patch using an organic fertilizer like Fertrell's Feed-N-Grow 4-2-4. Requires 4 bags.

Apply twenty five pounds of Kelp Meal per 1000 square feet.
Requires 4 bags.

Apply approximately ten pounds of Azomite trace minerals and with all essential (micro-nutrients). Requires 2 bags.

This is pretty basic and can be improved by your addition of manures and composts this fall. Your cover crop will add much to your total patch health and condition.

If you are looking for the real heavy weights try to assure supply of fish, kelp and molasses for the foliar feeding.

With this program you will see your soil improve to the point where your soil test will indicate you may reduce the additives according to gained experience and knowledge on your part. Needless to say the patch will just get better from year to year and hopefully require less insecticides and fungicides as well.

It will take several years of building to bring this piece of ground up to healthy patch condition. You should be able to get some reasonably nice pumpkins improving as you and your patch improve. Good luck on your grow. Let me know how she blows!

When you begin producing the heavyweight it will be time to consider the addition of the AGRO-K to squeeze out the extra fifty to one hundred pounds.

4/14/2004 6:49:58 PM

Hamilton, MT

Doc,
Your fish/kelp/molasses cocktail - is that only for foliar feeding or do you apply/spray this mix on the soil in fall and spring too for a soil boost?
Kim

4/18/2004 10:34:01 PM

Montoursville, PA

Kim........I use fish, kelp and molassess doubled in the early spring and late fall as I am trying to get un-digested elements of manure and compost started or boosted. The goal is always to up the bacteria activity. For the short term I find blood meal fits this spring and fall period nicely while Alfalfa Meal is a reasonable replacement for Blood Meal. Alfalfa Meal also offers a nicely ballanced package that release for use slowly through out the whole season. It also contains a growth stimulant that is seldom mentioned in print. What makes this interesting is that it is different than the growth stimulants in kelp meal.

4/19/2004 10:15:48 AM

Hamilton, MT

Wow Doc,
You are always such a wealth of information.
I think I've printed more of your posts than all the others combined. Thank you for continuous help and advice for everyone's patch. I should be getting my soil results back soon - sent my sample to A&L today... you'll be hearing from me again!
Kim

4/19/2004 9:40:57 PM