Soil Test Results

I sent two soil samples to the NC Department of Agriculture.  One called BAD - collected from the section of a raised bed where last year pole beans shriveled and died late in the season and this year the beets are pale and puny. One called GOOD - collected from the other half of the bed where beets are thriving.

The soil test is in.  I notified Al Cooke, my agriculture extension agent.  He says, "There's not a nickel's worth of difference between those two samples."  So no answers there.  He's going to come out to take a "hands and knees look" next Thursday morning. I can't wait to hear what he has to say.

Here's what the agronomist had to say:
"The main concern I see are the high pH of 7.9 and 7.8. A pH of 6.5 is more suitable for maximal root development and nutrient uptake. When it is above 6.5, soil nutrients may be in less chemically available forms and the plants cannot take them up even when levels are adequate in the soil. No lime should be applied to this soil; you may want to apply elemental sulfur (90%) at a rate of 5 lbs per 1,000 sq ft to lower the pH. Avoid exposure to your face or breathing the dust as sulfur can be irritating. Wash the sulfur off any plant leaves and into the soil.

Fertility is very high in this soil and would not be limiting the plants. I would not recommend applying fertilizer
except for seasonal nitrogen applications as needed. We don't test for soil nitrogen as levels can change rapidly in a natural environment, so ignore the 1 lbs recommendation below if you have already applied it. Zinc levels are somewhat elevated and while zinc is a necessary element, it can be toxic at high concentrations. I doubt these levels are toxic, but I would avoid further applications. Possible sources of zinc include animal composts, pesticides, and metal roofing. If you suspect a disease problem, Al Cooke could help with the submission of a sample to the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic at NC State University."  ~ Jeana Myers, Agronomist

To see the NC Dept of Agriculture's full report, click on this link:
Soil Test
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