A garden is only as good as the ground that it's planted in. Discussion forum for the many ways to improve the soil where we plant our gardens.
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
September 9, 2014 | #46 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4,488
|
amazing how fast that happens isn't it?
__________________
Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture |
September 10, 2014 | #47 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7
Posts: 3,207
|
Yes it is. Seems much faster here even then AZ, I spose since the soil is sandy? As I ripped up tree roots it really turned this layer into the top 6", too.
|
October 15, 2014 | #48 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4,488
|
Quote:
I found out about the test. It is called the Haney test after the developer Rick Haney USDA SARE. It is particularly useful for anyone getting their primary nutrition for plants based on biological activity (mineralization) as opposed to inputs. This would include cover crops for soil health. I found a Lab in Nebraska that does the test. Ward Labs. The cost there is ~$50. So not exactly cheap compare to most state agricultural universities offering the standard test free through the extension services. However, this test measures several things including biological activity and soil health. Some/most of us organic growers need because the true picture may not show up in the standard tests that measure water soluble inorganic NPK. Here is an explanation of the test: Haney Test Explanation Rick Haney's work on soil health
__________________
Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture Last edited by Redbaron; October 17, 2014 at 09:29 AM. |
|
October 16, 2014 | #49 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Chicago IL
Posts: 857
|
Redbaron, I am new to this, have looked a bit into this new test. How it is different from Reams test? I get the analogy that Albrecht test shows what is savings account for soil with strong acids, but Reams testing with weak acids shows checking account balance, seems like pretty similar idea to new testing. I have done testing with CSI and Int Ag labs.
|
October 16, 2014 | #50 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4,488
|
Quote:
So if you garden with miracle grow or conventional farm with NPK, this probably isn't the best test for you. The standard test is both cheaper and more robust. Even some organic gardeners/farmers this might not be so helpful, if it is just substitution organic. BUT if you use regenerative forms of agriculture or horticulture that uses biomimicry to take advantage of nature's natural biological nutrient cycles, this is the test for you.
__________________
Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture |
|
October 17, 2014 | #51 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Chicago IL
Posts: 857
|
Redbaron, thanks for explanation. I would consider myself biological gardener. So it is pretty much evaluation of whether my aerated compost tea is doing correct job and adding in right microbes that are going to stay active and work.
|
|
|