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Santa Cruz, CA

We had high nitrogen levels 71ppm at the beginning of the season and we just had our soils test done last week and that number is 114ppm now- even higher. We didn't add any nitrogen during the growing season. Will that number go down over the winter? What do you recommend?

9/10/2007 11:40:52 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

How was the sample collected & which lab?

9/10/2007 11:52:56 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Nitrogen is usually an ESTIMATE based on the percent organic matter. A REAL Nitrogen test would involve a gas extraction in the field since the act of collecting a sample will loosen the soil which causes most of the N to immediately dissipate into the atmosphere.

Hence I place NO significance in the N factor of a soil test report.

In other words, don't sweat it. Chances are you ended up with a sample that had more organic residue this time than last.

9/10/2007 11:56:33 PM

Santa Cruz, CA

We used A and L labs and the sample was collected from 6 places about 6 inches down in the patch.
Our organic matter is at 15.6 percent...so it sounds like that plays a roll in the nitrogen number. Should we still plant our fall cover crop of fava beans? It really helps keep the weeds down and mixes into the soil so easily in the Spring.

9/11/2007 10:25:33 AM

I would say yes to the cover drop,,,keeping that soil active is a very important step in "working" soil for next season. Where nature allows it's a very good idea.

9/11/2007 11:12:17 AM

southwest MO

Are these NO3 levels? I'll just say that if they are, depending on how the sample was prepared, it could be higher... NO3 levels after a period of soil dormancy will be low. After the spring and summer heat comes on the bugs wake up and begin the nutrient cycling making NO3 for the plant. This is a simplified anserw but possible ecspeacially with all your organics. (potential food sources waiting to be cycled)

9/11/2007 11:49:12 AM