Most informative video, Greg. I’ve been drifting towards mostly chop and drop, so that may be a way of dealing with this. Although I think I may have to grow more cover crops. Elaine Inghan speaks of compost as more of a carrier of the right microorganisms and not as much nutrients. I don’t know how accurate that truly is, since I’m no scientist, but it is a fascinating point of view. I think a lot of soils don’t need much amending.
Thanks, Siloé! I think you’re right, most soils don’t need much aside from nitrogen, and you can often get that from mixing in nitrogen fixers. I haven’t read anything from Dr. Ingham yet, but I’ve been meaning to because she’s the soil lady and probably knows more about soil biology than almost anyone else at this point.
I read the article you referenced and it’s quite good! The studies do confirm that you can amend your soil to the point of toxicity. Main takeaway for me is don’t fertilize randomly, have your soil tested first. Also interesting that expensive specialty fertilizers for roses or citrus, etc. are no better than generic fertilizer.
Excellent! Yes, it’s always about marketing, isn’t it? Unfortunately it’s highly effective. I’m happy to share anything that exposes the truth. Thank you for reading and commenting!
Thanks for your hard work in researching this subject. I spend so much time and energy trying to figure out how to grow bigger potatoes and carrots that it never occurred to me that I could enrich the soil too much! Question: I’m not quite understanding the connection between municipal compost and excess phosphorus. Why were the levels so high in your soil? Another question: Are we only talking about adding too much organic matter or could the soil become toxic by adding too much fertilizer?
You're welcome, I'm glad it was helpful! If you haven't already, I recommend reading the article I mention. There's a link in the description and t's very informative. To answer your first question: I used far too much municipal compost in the raised beds (60%) rather than treating it as an amendment for native soil, and the compost was extremely high in nutrients. This is why we have such high levels of many nutrients, as show in the test results in the previous video. Your second question: excessive use of any nutrient-rich material (fertilizer, compost, manure, etc.) can create a toxic soil environment. A little bit of compost can go a long way!
@@SomeRoomtoGrow Can you recommend how to get a lab test for soil? I’m on a shoe string budget- can they test the soil for free at colleges? I believe my soil is contaminated with herbicides. Thanks for any info
Can you recommend how to get a lab test for soil? I’m on a shoe string budget- can they test the soil for free at colleges? I believe my soil is contaminated with herbicides. Thanks for any info
It can depend on your state where you live. Our state college used to do free testing but they stopped a few years ago. I send my samples to A&L Great Lakes Labs in Indiana, but they mostly test for nutrient levels. I'm not sure if they test for herbicide residue. You would have to get a specific test for that and it could be expensive, but I'm not sure.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks. I found that journal article by Chalker-scott. 😊
Most informative video, Greg. I’ve been drifting towards mostly chop and drop, so that may be a way of dealing with this. Although I think I may have to grow more cover crops. Elaine Inghan speaks of compost as more of a carrier of the right microorganisms and not as much nutrients. I don’t know how accurate that truly is, since I’m no scientist, but it is a fascinating point of view. I think a lot of soils don’t need much amending.
Thanks, Siloé! I think you’re right, most soils don’t need much aside from nitrogen, and you can often get that from mixing in nitrogen fixers. I haven’t read anything from Dr. Ingham yet, but I’ve been meaning to because she’s the soil lady and probably knows more about soil biology than almost anyone else at this point.
I read the article you referenced and it’s quite good! The studies do confirm that you can amend your soil to the point of toxicity. Main takeaway for me is don’t fertilize randomly, have your soil tested first. Also interesting that expensive specialty fertilizers for roses or citrus, etc. are no better than generic fertilizer.
Excellent! Yes, it’s always about marketing, isn’t it? Unfortunately it’s highly effective. I’m happy to share anything that exposes the truth. Thank you for reading and commenting!
Thanks for your hard work in researching this subject. I spend so much time and energy trying to figure out how to grow bigger potatoes and carrots that it never occurred to me that I could enrich the soil too much! Question: I’m not quite understanding the connection between municipal compost and excess phosphorus. Why were the levels so high in your soil? Another question: Are we only talking about adding too much organic matter or could the soil become toxic by adding too much fertilizer?
You're welcome, I'm glad it was helpful! If you haven't already, I recommend reading the article I mention. There's a link in the description and t's very informative. To answer your first question: I used far too much municipal compost in the raised beds (60%) rather than treating it as an amendment for native soil, and the compost was extremely high in nutrients. This is why we have such high levels of many nutrients, as show in the test results in the previous video. Your second question: excessive use of any nutrient-rich material (fertilizer, compost, manure, etc.) can create a toxic soil environment. A little bit of compost can go a long way!
@@SomeRoomtoGrow Can you recommend how to get a lab test for soil? I’m on a shoe string budget- can they test the soil for free at colleges? I believe my soil is contaminated with herbicides. Thanks for any info
@@isaacwillson8617I'd contact the local cooperative extension service. Probably under county administration office
The wood needs replacing often and they are expensive to rebuild.
Very true. It's been 5 years since I built these beds. They may only have 1 more year now before they fall apart and I don't plan to build any more.
Can you recommend how to get a lab test for soil? I’m on a shoe string budget- can they test the soil for free at colleges? I believe my soil is contaminated with herbicides. Thanks for any info
It can depend on your state where you live. Our state college used to do free testing but they stopped a few years ago. I send my samples to A&L Great Lakes Labs in Indiana, but they mostly test for nutrient levels. I'm not sure if they test for herbicide residue. You would have to get a specific test for that and it could be expensive, but I'm not sure.