What did you do in the garden today?

[FlySammyJ]

Well the last round of snow melted off of my beds to I took the opportunity to take soil samples. I was raised in a wonderful gardening environment down South (deep, rich soil, 10-month growing season, plenty of rain....ah I realize now I spoilt I was), but this is my second year working on a bed in Montana and, well, things are a bit different. It's still 5 weeks till the last reliable frost, and my early tomato seedlings are about ready to be potted up. Anyway, toward the end of last season I started so see some yellowing on the older leaves of some plants. I suspected a nutrient deficiency but didn't act on it as I was travelling a lot that summer. I took my soil samples yesterday and ran a pH/NPK test, and sure enough I have excess phosphorus and potassium, but absolutely no nitrogen. Armed with that knowledge I'll be adding some dried blood to my usual compost & manure ammendment, and at the end of the season I'll let the chickens clean up the beds for me without worrying about nitrogen surplus.

I also found out that my pH is even higher than I suspected at about 8, even though I added a good bit of sphagnum moss last year. I blame the well. So, I'm thinking a dose of ammonium sulfate to bring it down quickly, plus regular coffee ground sprinklings to act more slowly and counteract the water. Hopefully this will all happen in the next week or two, so then I can set out my broccoli, bok choi, onions, and a round of radishes under cold frames.

 

[cstronks]

What is your favorite rose, in a zone 4 ?

I'm zone 6, but I love Oregolds. I have those and Oklahoma bushes by my coop. Also planted about 250 corn seedlings today...going to be quite a harvest this year!

 

[hogster160]

Well the last round of snow melted off of my beds to I took the opportunity to take soil samples. I was raised in a wonderful gardening environment down South (deep, rich soil, 10-month growing season, plenty of rain....ah I realize now I spoilt I was), but this is my second year working on a bed in Montana and, well, things are a bit different. It's still 5 weeks till the last reliable frost, and my early tomato seedlings are about ready to be potted up. Anyway, toward the end of last season I started so see some yellowing on the older leaves of some plants. I suspected a nutrient deficiency but didn't act on it as I was travelling a lot that summer. I took my soil samples yesterday and ran a pH/NPK test, and sure enough I have excess phosphorus and potassium, but absolutely no nitrogen. Armed with that knowledge I'll be adding some dried blood to my usual compost & manure ammendment, and at the end of the season I'll let the chickens clean up the beds for me without worrying about nitrogen surplus.

I also found out that my pH is even higher than I suspected at about 8, even though I added a good bit of sphagnum moss last year. I blame the well. So, I'm thinking a dose of ammonium sulfate to bring it down quickly, plus regular coffee ground sprinklings to act more slowly and counteract the water. Hopefully this will all happen in the next week or two, so then I can set out my broccoli, bok choi, onions, and a round of radishes under cold frames.

Where were you able to get your soil samples tested and results back so quickly at? I've been told I have to send them in the mail. I would love to get my soil tested, and results back so quickly...jealous XD Or is this a test you buy and do at home? I've had a garden for 4 years now, and never tested the soil, I just go by how the plants are doing. And they have been doing very well. All though last year I really had more growth of the plants themselves and less veggies than I expected. I really wish I would have paid more attention to my dad before he died. He was the garden guru! Me, I just try.

Deb

 

[erinszoo]

Admired my apple blooms that we managed to keep alive and blooming through the last freak freeze. Just one more notch of craziness for my neighbors to add to the list as we wrapped the tree in plastic sheeting and carried buckets of hot water out and juggled them into position after midnight. Lol.

 

[HenFriend]

Think I'll have to re plant my beans as it looks like the seed has rotted, guess it's still too cold at night, have to go back to starting them in the house as frost is forecast this weekend. Lots of other things sprouting, beetroot, cauliflower, parsnip, my first ever oca which will be a bit of an experiment....

 

[Davea50501]

Went out to water this morning and discovered something has eaten most of my corn!!! I guess it was crows. Well time to replant.

 

[mlongworth]

My cherries are getting ready to bloom. But i dont have a pollinator i messed up when i bought my pair. So now i will be the crazy lady down at the in laws with a blush brush trying to collect pollen from their tree to bring home. Started some herbs yesterday. Anybody here have huckleberries, i have some on the way from the seed swap and i am getting their spot ready anything i should do to it special?

 

[FlySammyJ]

Where were you able to get your soil samples tested and results back so quickly at? I've been told I have to send them in the mail. I would love to get my soil tested, and results back so quickly...jealous XD Or is this a test you buy and do at home? I've had a garden for 4 years now, and never tested the soil, I just go by how the plants are doing. And they have been doing very well. All though last year I really had more growth of the plants themselves and less veggies than I expected. I really wish I would have paid more attention to my dad before he died. He was the garden guru! Me, I just try.

Deb

Ha, yes it is a take-home kit. It cost about $15 at the local garden store and has enough supplies to do the four (pH, N, K, and P) tests ten times each. I do believe the extension office might have been able to test more for the same price, but honestly I kind of enjoy "playing scientist" and doing it myself. I've never tested when everything is doing fine, I just had a couple of weird issues last year and I thought maybe some fresh data could help me solve the problem.

Edit: I remembered someone telling me that lots of growth but poor production could be due to an excess of nitrogen (N). I did a quick search and found an article that might help, it suggest planting heavy feeders like squash that can grow quickly, exhausting N content, and then set a big crop once levels are normalized: http://www.motherearthnews.com/orga...ilizer-and-excess-nitrogen.aspx#axzz2RaEgeTIl

 

[Peaches Lee]

Finally put in some starter plants, it's been a cold spring here. Can't wait for my tomatoes, got a few new varieties to test drive: Pink Oxheart, Golden Jubilee, Green Zebra, Cherokee Purple and Purple Jasper! Trying out the new pepper Tequila Sunrise as well, those look delicious!

 

[hogster160]

Ha, yes it is a take-home kit. It cost about $15 at the local garden store and has enough supplies to do the four (pH, N, K, and P) tests ten times each. I do believe the extension office might have been able to test more for the same price, but honestly I kind of enjoy "playing scientist" and doing it myself. I've never tested when everything is doing fine, I just had a couple of weird issues last year and I thought maybe some fresh data could help me solve the problem.

Edit: I remembered someone telling me that lots of growth but poor production could be due to an excess of nitrogen (N). I did a quick search and found an article that might help, it suggest planting heavy feeders like squash that can grow quickly, exhausting N content, and then set a big crop once levels are normalized: http://www.motherearthnews.com/orga...ilizer-and-excess-nitrogen.aspx#axzz2RaEgeTIl

Thanks for the page reference, will be reading that next. Also when I run out in the morning for more wood for the coop I will check out and see if I can find a take-home kit to check. Thanks for the info and help!

Deb