Soil building for nutrient density

COMPOSTER · May 22, 2013

I'm bad in the soil test area. Never done one. This is probably not a good answer but I use small quantities (3lbs/100 ft) of a 5-3-4 seed meal, chicken manure,rock phosphate product. My own home produced compost made with substantial amounts of sheep manure and straw and 5lbs/100 ft lime. And last Fall for the first time I worked in 30lbs/ 100 ft of Basalt dust from a local rock quarry. So, to my mind I am using a well balanced set of ammendments. I also plant a cover crop of winter rye in the Fall and work into the soil in the Spring. I am continually working to increase the level of organic matter in my soil which, from the reading I have done, should help to keep the trace elements in balance. Again, I know this is a poor answer and not a substitute for a soil test. I should have a soil test done.

Glenn

May 22, 2013	#11
COMPOSTER Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Connecticut Posts: 252	I'm bad in the soil test area. Never done one. This is probably not a good answer but I use small quantities (3lbs/100 ft) of a 5-3-4 seed meal, chicken manure,rock phosphate product. My own home produced compost made with substantial amounts of sheep manure and straw and 5lbs/100 ft lime. And last Fall for the first time I worked in 30lbs/ 100 ft of Basalt dust from a local rock quarry. So, to my mind I am using a well balanced set of ammendments. I also plant a cover crop of winter rye in the Fall and work into the soil in the Spring. I am continually working to increase the level of organic matter in my soil which, from the reading I have done, should help to keep the trace elements in balance. Again, I know this is a poor answer and not a substitute for a soil test. I should have a soil test done. Glenn