Soil sample results

[mattb78]

So here is an excerpt of my soil samples from the UGA lab. Pre-lime, my PHs were between 4.8 to 5.3 and they are up a little over a half point since applying 2 tons per acre of lime in August. Just an idea of how long it takes ag lime to work.

I need to add a bunch of P and K. Soil test from 2 years ago showed 160-170 lbs/acre of P and 250-400 lbs/acre of K in these plots and those nutrients have been completely depleted. Pretty surprised they went down that fast.

This is the first time I did an OM (organic matter test). Very low OM which I expected in sandy soil less than 1% except in the hornet plot (2.7%) which is odd because it is right next to the L plot. It is the newest plot so maybe that explains the higher OM.

Probably going to go with a soil building summer crop to increase the OM in the 3 plots that need it.

 

[Milkman]

I am puzzled by the suggested low amount of lime with the PH of 5.4 ???

I have a new ground plot with a PH of 5.4 that the UGA tests suggested 3.25 tons of lime per acre.

 

[Canuck5]

AG Lime can take 3 years to achieve it's goal and then likely goes down from there. Go ahead and add the next 1/2 ton of lime. Lime is the poor man's fertilizer!

P&K gone? I think I would spend another $10 on a soil retest, just to be sure. Seems unusual, and remember we are trying to feed deer ...... not raise a crop to make money on, so use your food plot budget accordingly.

Keep tillage at a minimum and let the roots pull nutrients up from below, back to the surface. Maybe 2 crops of buckwheat, with just broadcasting it in place, after spraying with glyphosate.

Look at deciding on your fall crops and maybe clover selection.

 

[Canuck5]

For sandy soil, soil building

 

[Canuck5]

Fertilizer

 

[Canuck5]

Whatever you have growing in there now, likely has a "fertilizer value" of 4%N - .5%P - 2%K ...... so returning it all back to the soil will increase organic matter and help save money on fertilizer.

 

[mattb78]

Thanks for the advice Canuck. I have considered buckwheat but that seed is so expensive right now I am not sure. I have looked at Sun Hemp also or some type of blend. Its all in cereal rye right now so I am just going to let that go for a bit and when that is done hit it with a warm season crop.

Not a bad idea to get a re-test on the soil to make sure the p and k were off that much. I wonder if anyone has had that much potash disappear from their soil in 2 years or if that is common.

I am not going to add any lime. With 2 tons I added 6 months ago I think the PH will continue to rise to appropriate levels.

 

[doomtrpr_z71]

That's not common for 2 years, the lime can cause some tie up with phosphorus but I'd retest it.

 

[NMH5050]

AG Lime can take 3 years to achieve it's goal and then likely goes down from there. Go ahead and add the next 1/2 ton of lime. Lime is the poor man's fertilizer!

P&K gone? I think I would spend another $10 on a soil retest, just to be sure. Seems unusual, and remember we are trying to feed deer ...... not raise a crop to make money on, so use your food plot budget accordingly.

Keep tillage at a minimum and let the roots pull nutrients up from below, back to the surface. Maybe 2 crops of buckwheat, with just broadcasting it in place, after spraying with glyphosate.

Look at deciding on your fall crops and maybe clover selection.

very good point about just growing food for deer and not a crop. I have to take a breath every once in a while and remember that.

 

[bigchiefchoctaw]

I would plow in the cereal as a green manure crop before going to seed. Once green up starts deer and wildlife have enough to keep them going. You will get more soil health adding by tilling in the cereal.

 

[mattb78]

Good idea on tilling in the rye before going to seed. I will hit it then and go ahead and add some warm season seed same time. Getting a retest sample this weekend to double check p and k

 

[35 Whelen]

Sandy soil - Need three rains per week, and one of them needs to be fertilizer.

 

[davidhelmly]

I

Good idea on tilling in the rye before going to seed. I will hit it then and go ahead and add some warm season seed same time. Getting a retest sample this weekend to double check p and k

I’ll play devils advocate, in my opinion the best thing you can do for that soil is to never till it again, either no till it or throw and mow.

 

[livinoutdoors]

I'll add that there is alot of information coming out now about never flipping or tilling the soil, but rather running things through it. Like a sub soiler would do. Breaking compaction without inverting layers. Any kinda toothed plow i guess. Just seems like less is more kinda thing.