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Rocky-r@stny.rr.com

I have used Penn State for years and it only ran me about 15 bucks. THe problem is, it seems that PSU always gives the same ammendment ideas every year, no matter what the outcome. I feel a change is in order.

Larry Checkon recommended A and L labs, not too pricey yet effective. I still havent figured out how to download their sheet to send in a sample. I was wondering if you could suggest a decent priced lab with thorough test results and recommendations.

2/25/2008 2:10:47 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

For $13 bucks Univ. of Mass. will give you the basics w/organic %. Cheap enough for a second opinion so to speak.
I must agree that their recommendations vary little from year to year, but then we keep the patches super saturated w/all the goodies we think are needed...LOL! Sent them a soil sample from a new patch area this year and we'll see what the recommendations are? (only sent last week, turn around time usually pretty good) Good luck!http://www.umass.edu/plsoils/soiltest/soilbrocha.htm

2/25/2008 7:23:56 PM

Sheridan . NY

C&J PRODUCTS -- Using MID WEST LABS -

2/25/2008 7:49:51 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

I second what Craig said. I've been having my soil tests done through C & J Products for the last five years. What I like most is the color pie chart quickly summarizing your sample against an ideal sample. Not only that, but you will get amendment recommendations without having to interpret all the returned data yourself.

2/25/2008 8:14:54 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

And, if you are a C & J customer, Craig will follow up with a personal phone call to interpret your results and recommendations.

2/25/2008 8:16:44 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

Rocky, Andy Wolf has a file of Atlantic Giant Pumpkin growers soil test reports. Looking it over, most growers use A&L labs in California.

2/26/2008 12:16:57 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

If you can afford them: CLC in Westerville, OH or if you can find them, M.D. Harris. Both use the amazing multi reagent extraction process that was originally engineered by Penn State. Sadly, PS can't even afford to use that process any more.

All of the named labs are good. Just don't switch labs. Find one that's good, get to know their people & stick with them.

2/26/2008 1:21:50 AM

Rocky-r@stny.rr.com

Thanks for all the input, it seems A and L is the best, especially a lab that when called can produce an Agronomist to help you with the recommendations. PSU never had that. 32 bucks and a full analysis is quite a deal.

2/26/2008 11:32:45 AM

Salem, OR

Western Labs, Parma Idaho.

2/26/2008 4:23:26 PM

Santa Rosa, CA

Rocky,

Every grower I asked said A & L Western Agricultural Labs.
I have used them twice....so far. Turn around time is excellent. For $33.00 they do a very detailed analysis.Mention the crop you are growing as giant pumpkins. Also, request the graphical format.

If you decide on them, I can download the sample form and email it to you. veader@sonic.net.

As the commercial goes...soil test-$33.00, winning the weigh off-priceless.

Good luck with whatever outfit you use!

Chuck

2/26/2008 5:43:08 PM

Fairport,NY

Farmer Chuck: can you post a link to that sample form?
Thanks
Bumkin

2/26/2008 8:28:48 PM

Indiana

A&L Labs in Fort Wayne is the best I have found. They are learning pretty quickly what us pumpkin growers want and need. I often drive to the lab and talk to Dan who does a lot of the work on the "pumpkin grower" samples. For the buck, A&L is the best buy. The recommendations are $2. Total samples run $20-30

Tom Beachy

2/26/2008 11:16:31 PM

Santa Rosa, CA.

This is what an A&L Labs. test looks like.

http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=78662

2/27/2008 10:14:22 AM

anytown U.S,A,

how much is soil test form c&j midwest labs

2/27/2008 4:27:36 PM

Sheridan . NY

c&j /mid west--$24 standard basic --$36 total

2/27/2008 4:43:37 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Al,

I can e-mail you a copy of my report from C&J/Midwest Labs if you would like to see a sample.....Joe

2/27/2008 7:47:59 PM

Roselle, IL GJGEM@sbcglobal.net

I have been really happy with Craig and Midwest

2/27/2008 7:55:46 PM

Sheridan . NY

www.candjfert.com > hit our product--scroll down-- hit soil analysis --there a fully page of info---

2/27/2008 8:42:20 PM

Ohio

Rock, is this the form you cant download the pdf file?

http://www.algreatlakes.com/PDF/submittal_forms/home_and_garden_submittal_form.pdf

2/27/2008 8:57:28 PM

Rocky-r@stny.rr.com

I got the A and L form now, thanks Brooks and everyone. A and L seems to be the Rockwell patch choice thanks to many positive words from growers such as Don Young, Andy WOlf and Larry CHeckon.

My next question is this... Soil test before adding the compost pile, or after I till it in, do a test with the combined compost and existing soil in patch? It seems that the soil makeup will change with the compost addition, so why take one before I till in the compost? Then again, my soil will change alot over the first 2-4 weeks of adding the compost, so when is the best time to take sample?

2/27/2008 9:04:58 PM

President - GPC

I like www.candjfert.com,

great pumpkin oriented analysis with a nice color pie chart...plus cant beat the personalized service that Craig provides.!

2/28/2008 9:51:00 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Sample before any amendments. That way, you'll know what amendments to make after the results of your test are in.

2/28/2008 7:20:13 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

gpdude, and Rock, if Rock test's his patch b/4 adding his own compost pile....how does he know what he is putting into his patch if he doesn't also, test his compost?? Will a reputable lab, test both, and give advice as to what other ammendments need to be made, after adding your own compost? Does this ? make sense??? I am not sure I understand what I just asked??? LOL Peace, Wayne

2/28/2008 9:35:45 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Wayne,

The test results will let Rock know what his % organic matter is now and how much he should(or not) add to increase the fertility of his patch. Along with the % OM addition recommendation will come an increase in N recommendation. OM utilizes Nitrogen to break down. Higher nitrogen levels are required to both break down the OM AND promote vegetative growth. The ideal here is to deplete nitrogen, for the most part, by the time 100-150 pounds of fruit growth is attained. Nitrogen leaches quickly, so the right balance needs to be achieved right at planting time. The only nitrogen needed after that will be on a maintenance level.

That's where most growers(incuding) myself make their biggest mistake. Once that monster begins growing, we think more is better and tend to apply too much nitrogen.

Now is the ideal time to do a soil test. Let the test dictate what you add.

All that being said, Rock should know what his compost consists of first.

2/28/2008 10:08:04 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

So??/test yer compost thru a good lab, b/4 adding it to yer patch? Thanks, dude!!! Peace, Wayne
PS...if Rock's soil test says add 10#'s of N. per 1K sq/ft. and his compost is 2% N (just pullin numbers out of the air), he should add 500#'s of compost per 1K sq/ft to get the 10#'s? What should he do if that adds too much or too little or other things that are in his compost? (yes I am sorta playing the devil's advocate here a little), but all of this is sort of confusing to a lot of us...dude, really do appreciate yer help!!!

2/28/2008 11:49:29 PM

Ohio

look at Don Youngs % organic matter, its through the roof!,and it sure doesnt bother his pumpkins,lol!.
But if it was me, Id wait to add anything untill I got a true reading on my soil, but even after I got the reading Id still add the compost lol! Cant never have to much om in the patch right Don? Ha!

2/29/2008 5:54:08 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Wayne,

YES on the 500 pounds of compost to get the ten pounds of nitrogen. You gotta know what your adding BEFORE you add it though. Otherwise, it's just a guessing game.

I'm no compost expert though. There are many different kinds of compost and that compost may be at varying stages of breaking down when its added.

I apply only 100% maple leaves as my only OM addition to the patch. I get the recommendation of how many leaves to add with the results of my soil test. Hopefully, someone with more knowledge of various types of compost will chime in.

2/29/2008 7:44:59 PM