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Post by Hoosier Hunter on Jul 18, 2007 15:10:59 GMT -5
I wouldn't worry about it and go ahead and fertilize and plant. The soil in my area is real close to being neutral. Most soil here will test out between 6.5 and 7.2. Use 300 lb of fertilize per acre and you should have a very good plot. h.h. I know when I did a plot at my home several years back the test came back as very acidic. Wonder if should put down any lime? |
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Post by hornharvester on Jul 18, 2007 15:17:10 GMT -5
You can buy self test PH kits that give a good idea of what your soil is. Ive seen them at Rural King and TSC stores. It wouldn't be as accurate but will give you a good idea of what to add right now, then next year send in a sample. h.h.
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Post by hornharvester on Jul 18, 2007 15:23:04 GMT -5
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Post by tmarsh83 on Jul 18, 2007 21:01:40 GMT -5
I'm with HH, head to a hardware or farm store and buy a small acid test kit. They are cheap, and pretty accurate, most extension offices use virtually the same thing for on the spot tests. It will give you a pretty good idea of where you sit.
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Post by Hoosier Hunter on Jul 19, 2007 7:23:34 GMT -5
Is there a website that shows what the proper PH should be for the varoius food plot plants? I was thinking the different plants did better if grown in the proper PH.
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Post by hornharvester on Jul 19, 2007 7:41:43 GMT -5
HH,
You looking for 7.0 soil. If I were you I would just prep, plant, fertilize and be done with it. You will end up with a nice food plot for this hunting season and beyond. h.h.
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Post by Hoosier Hunter on Jul 19, 2007 11:15:32 GMT -5
hornharvester,
You have been so much help. Thanks a bunch.
I think I have one last question ( I hope). For example say my PH is tested high like 12.0. Will there be a formula on the test kit on how much lime is needed to get it to 7.0?
I got to thinking once I test it and know what it is then what? I assume the higher the PH is over our desired goal the more lime that's required to get it to where you want it?
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Post by hornharvester on Jul 19, 2007 12:20:31 GMT -5
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Post by Hoosier Hunter on Jul 19, 2007 13:50:33 GMT -5
Thanks HH.
Wow that can be a bunch of lime. Especially if you get in bag form.
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Post by danf on Jul 19, 2007 14:50:29 GMT -5
I know it was an example, but if you have soil that has a pH of 12, you have some serious problems!
Most soil here will test with a pH between 5 & 8. And 90% of it here in the state will be on the lower end. If you have a pH over 7, you do not need lime- you need sulphur. A pH below 7 (7 is neutral) is acidic and needs lime, pH over 7 is basic and needs sulphur.
If you get a soil test done through your county extension office, you will fill out a form that will ask what the ground has been used for and what crops are intended to go on it. Based on that, the soil test results will give you recommendations for how much lime/sulphur to put down per acre, plus fertilizer recommendations.
If your plot is larger in size (bigger than 1-2000 square feet), you should take a small sample from several spots in the plot and mix them together. The mix is what you send in for a soil sample. Contact your extension agent for specific instructions. It's well worth the $15 (price may have gone up though, but not by much) to have it done.
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Post by Woody Williams on Jul 19, 2007 16:05:18 GMT -5
I saw on another site something called PH GAIN that is a liquid concentrate that you mix with water.
It is supposed to do the same thing as lime at a fraction of the cost per acre.
I'm still tryng to find out where to get it..
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Post by Hoosier Hunter on Jul 19, 2007 20:01:06 GMT -5
I know it was an example, but if you have soil that has a pH of 12, you have some serious problems! Most soil here will test with a pH between 5 & 8. And 90% of it here in the state will be on the lower end. If you have a pH over 7, you do not need lime- you need sulphur. A pH below 7 (7 is neutral) is acidic and needs lime, pH over 7 is basic and needs sulphur. If you get a soil test done through your county extension office, you will fill out a form that will ask what the ground has been used for and what crops are intended to go on it. Based on that, the soil test results will give you recommendations for how much lime/sulphur to put down per acre, plus fertilizer recommendations. If your plot is larger in size (bigger than 1-2000 square feet), you should take a small sample from several spots in the plot and mix them together. The mix is what you send in for a soil sample. Contact your extension agent for specific instructions. It's well worth the $15 (price may have gone up though, but not by much) to have it done. Yeah, number was an example. In the wrong direction too. I called my county extension office and they were clueless. They didn't know anyone that did soil tests but if I gave them a few days they would research it and get back with me. Mossy Oaks labs does for I think $7. I'll wing it and do the Rural King self test for this year. |
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Post by danf on Jul 20, 2007 7:10:57 GMT -5
They were clueless?? Sounds like you either didn't talk to the extension agent or you need a new one...
The extension office should take the samples for you and send them to Purdue. Somewhere in the Botany department, I think. I know it's done in Lily Hall, but that's a *huge* building!! The samples are analized there...
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Post by switzerland on Jul 25, 2007 19:54:50 GMT -5
We have always been able to send soil samples through the local co-op. You can also buy blended seed mix and individual seeds from the co-op, not to mention your fertilizer much cheaper than buying food plot bags from the store. If you price turnips and clover at the co-op and then at the store you would be amazed.
There are some small differences when you get imported seeds, but you can usually find them much cheaper online if you buy bulk.
Hope this helps,
Rod
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Post by swindianapaul on Jul 25, 2007 22:30:16 GMT -5
If you're extension office was not much help on the soil tests, contact your soil & water conservation district office or NRCS office. That is where I take mine in to for testing.
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Post by esshup on Jul 28, 2007 20:12:07 GMT -5
Even the NCRS offices will vary greatly from county to county in the amount of knowledge they have.
I was at a seminar in Porter county a few years ago on pond building, and the amount of information (and the level of help) that the Porter County NCRS had available was mind boggling. So, I contacted the Starke County NCRS. Just the complete opposite. No information on pond building, and they didn't know how to access the information on the USDA website to pull up any information either - and this is from the county agent, not some office help.....
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