Biodiverse Polyculture (USDA 8a Zone Pasture) - sounds better than "My Acres of Weeds"

[saysfaa]

800# of pelletized lime - 1/2 the amount recommended for my soil - incoming. As well as 150# of 10-18-10 fertilizer, because my soil phos levels are so low. Will have to drop 10-10-10 in the fall.

First time I've fertilized the pasture. By the end of this year, we'll have real results. Worth it??? or Not???

Well, there is little point in putting seed down on soil it can't grow in.

On our sand in our wettish climate, spreading lime always returns well more than the cost of buying and spreading the lime. It is so whether one spreads half as much or all that the soil needs. I assume it would be the same for you.

Pelletized lime isn't immediately available, though. If your soil is severely sour, you might spread some of the lime as powder if you want to see the results this year.

You could also do test plots - ten by ten foot sections side by side. Then put different amounts of lime and or fertilizer on each. Seeing the differences for yourself can be worth more than reading about it.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Well, there is little point in putting seed down on soil it can't grow in.

On our sand in our wettish climate, spreading lime always returns well more than the cost of buying and spreading the lime. It is so whether one spreads half as much or all that the soil needs. I assume it would be the same for you.

Pelletized lime isn't immediately available, though. If your soil is severely sour, you might spread some of the lime as powder if you want to see the results this year.

You could also do test plots - ten by ten foot sections side by side. Then put different amounts of lime and or fertilizer on each. Seeing the differences for yourself can be worth more than reading about it.

4.9 when I had it tested. Its pretty severe - but most of what I'm planting will go down prefers 5.0 - 6.5. So even though its slow release, I think I'l be ok. I have thrown a couple hundred pounds of powder at the gardens I made from the local soil and afew other locations. Definite improvement, but just treating the surface with the powder doiesn't help - it needs to be worked in. Finally have the equipment to do that.

Also, I can spread pellet, I could not spread powder except by hand. That's just not practical on 2A

 

[saysfaa]

Yep. Just don't assume it isn't worth it based on this year's results. Although, it may become available faster in your climate.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Yep. Just don't assume it isn't worth it based on this year's results. Although, it may become available faster in your climate.

I'm not expecting miracles. But a visually noticeable improvement would be nice. Tired of throwing $200 in seed every year only to have very little establish, in spite of getting plenty of water. The pH is simply too low for a lot of the things I'd like to grow to do well.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

This is what made it. Almost none of this will get any taller, making it worthless for the goats. Only the subterranean clover has much value for the chickens. At best, it keeps the ground in place till I fertilize and re-seed.

The stick-looking stuff I can't identify - its one of three things that gets taller, but nothing will touch.

 

[NanaK]

This is what made it.

I think this may be just the beginning. Still early.

You did not lime before your original planting?
If not it is a good idea to do so. Our soil here is very acid also.

Just know as saysfaa says, lime takes time to work.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

You did not lime before your original planting?
If not it is a good idea to do so. Our soil here is very acid also.

Just know as saysfaa says, lime takes time to work.

No, we were here for a couple years before I had the soil tested. Didn't know any better.

 

[Sally PB]

This has inspired me to order soil test kits. 'Bout time too... I've been here 30 years, had a garden for about 28 of them. I've done the $5 tests from the garden store, not really learned anything.

I ordered one for the heavy soil garden, and one for sandy soil garden. The soils are very different.

This is what they test for:

"What soil test results/fertilizer information will you receive?

• Nutrient levels for phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg)
• pH value and cation exchange capacity (CEC)
• The soil organic matter (OM) level
• Personalized recommendations for fertilizer and any needed pH modifications"

This is through Michigan State University, which is a big ag school here. Long ago (50 years or so), it was a joke to call it, "Moo U."

 

[fuzzi]

We're very acidic here, too, but when I had the soil tested (15 years ago?) it was not as low as yours, but 5-something pH. Blueberries, azaleas, gardenias love it. I don't add lime but I do dig in organic material, compost, including decomposed leaf/grass clippings. And coop cleanings, though I let those age.

 

[NanaK]

No, we were here for a couple years before I had the soil tested. Didn't know any better.

I had to learn too. My first couple years with the veggie garden was disastrous. BIL set me straight.
We live and learn.