From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Northern Alabama

I’m submitting my soil test to Western Labs soon and was wondering if it’s worth it to spend the extra money to get a soil test +solutions. I can do the basic test for 45 and input the values into the soil calculator or I can get a test for 95 that gives me the solutions immediately. Which should I do?

12/22/2022 11:17:03 AM

Kutztown, PA

I'd get the soil solutions test done. What's in your soil is one thing. What will actually leach out and be available to your plants is another totally different thing.

12/22/2022 2:07:10 PM

Kutztown, PA

That's probably even more important with clay based soils. Not sure where your at in AL but as I remember most of the dirt there is red. :)

12/22/2022 2:10:21 PM

Georgia

Hey Reed, you might want to reach out to Spencer Glasgow from Bessemer, AL. He used to be really active on the forum. He could probably shave a couple of years of trial and error off your growing curve.

He holds third place on Alabama's top ten with a 947lb pumpkin. Which is really good in the deep South. :-)

12/22/2022 7:17:48 PM

Bowdon, GA

Is the extra $50 just for recommendations?

12/22/2022 7:45:40 PM

Kutztown, PA

Having been born in Montgomery, AL and having lived in Columbus, GA - Now in PA. I can tell you guys the exchange rate from Confederate to USD is pretty lop sided now. :)

What's the $50 for??

12/23/2022 8:27:10 AM

Kutztown, PA

Reedl - There's a copy of my fall soil solution test and soil test in my diary if you want to see the data you'll get.

12/23/2022 8:30:44 AM

Partlow,Va

Find a local lab that does farmers soil. I get mine from Waypoint Analylitical for20 then use the soil calculator.

12/23/2022 8:36:54 AM

Kutztown, PA

Hank/Reedl,

Where can I see the "soil calculations" your referring to?

Thanks

12/23/2022 9:31:18 AM

Kutztown, PA

Searched Google - cant really find anything specific. Is the calculation base on ion exchange rates?

12/23/2022 10:03:28 AM

Western NY

Test 75.

The only thing I'd ever worry about is if something is way high. Anything that's low can be gradually brought up.

12/23/2022 10:44:49 AM

Bowdon, GA

I do the same as Hank. Waypoint is $20 dollars. I use the soil calculator, never pay attention to the recommendations anyway. I did one through the extension service one time and they give recommendations free. But their recommendations were terrible, no concept of balance and even recommended stuff they didn’t test for.

12/23/2022 11:57:08 AM

Bowdon, GA

Garwolf it is an excel program. I won’t be back to my pc till next week. If you will email me a reminder I’ll help you out.

12/23/2022 12:03:11 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Like Andy said, test 75 will get the job done.

And I really like Orange U. Glad bringing up Spencer's name. We talk regular over the past many years and he knows all the ins and outs of you growing climate. He's changed things yearly and done very well! Growing pumpkins in that humidity and heat is a challenge and he's found ways to bring the temps down and get his soil better and better. He also has the disease program down for Alabamas hot and humid weather. He could definitely push you a couple years ahead!

12/24/2022 11:45:38 AM

Home of happy lil plants

Im always lurking
1067 is far as I've made it, my problem is I'm not trying to cruise one to 1100 for a state record.

Best time spent will be spent on drainage and shade

12/24/2022 8:57:46 PM

Torrance, Ca.

He's alive and lurking around! lol

Spence is shooting for that big one that far south!

12/26/2022 12:30:03 PM

Bowdon, GA

Garwolf sorry my account sent your email to spam. I found it, and sent you a reply let me know if you didn’t get it.

12/30/2022 10:14:33 AM

Bowdon, GA

Garwolf sorry my account sent your email to spam. I found it, and sent you a reply let me know if you didn’t get it.

12/30/2022 10:16:42 AM