More than simply telling you what nutrients you need to grow your desired plants, tress, grasses, flowers, or veggies, those soil test can tell you alot about the condition of your landscape. In fact, did you know that by looking at your soil test, you can determine what types of weed problems you may have this season. It’s true. This chart shows the results of out-of-balance soils and what it can do not only to increase weed and disease pressure, but how the lack of some nutrients may ultimately result in you losing the full benefit of other nutrients, even those you may have applied. By maintaining these rations as closely as you can, you will get the most from your garden or landscape and have to put the least effort into it.
Additionally, once you know the formula for healthy vibrant soil, you can use your test to see where you need to improve.
Tie-Ups
High Magnesium ties-up Nitrogen
High Phosphorus ties-up Zinc
High pH ties-up Manganese
High Potassium ties-up Copper and Boron
RATIOS
Key Ratios to obtain:
Calcium to Magnesium 7 : 1 on water soluble test, 10 : 1 on regular test
Supports carbon to nitrogen exchange which is imperative for development of sugars (carbohydrates necessary for plant growth.)
Calcium to Potassium 5 : 1
Critical for adequate calcium uptake in plant. Calcium and Potassium have a similar molecular weight so they compete for space within the plant. The plant will naturally take up more potash than calcium, if this ratio is out of balance it will result in disease problems, provide a weaker cell wall structure, and increase susceptibility to fungus. If there is a proper ratio one result will be better standabilty during dry down.
Potassium to Phosphorus 4 : 1
Critical indication of susceptibility to broadleaf weed pressure
Micronutrients can be as important to development as NPK.
Zinc – better water uptake, better drought tolerance, critical in corn for processing
adequate amounts of N
Copper – important for disease control especially for fungal disease (wet feet)
reduces brittle crops (breakage and shatter) which helps to reduce wind damage & lodging
Improves cell wall elasticity
Boron– important for disease control, pollination, production of sugars, translocation
of sugars. Boron deficiency will not show up until fruit set; At that time you will
notice pale coloration between leaves, In corn you will notice deformed ears or ears not filled all the way to the top of the cob
Manganese – important for disease control, seed set especially if you are growing for
seed. In trees (nut crops) deficiency will cause yield loss.
GENERAL INFO
Every 1% of Organic Matter has the holding capacity of 10,000 gallons of water per square acre
A 1-inch rain equates to 28,000 gallons of water per acre
pH levels in the soil are usually the highest in December, and will drop ½ to 1 % in the summer months
Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) determines the type of soil
6 – 8 Sand
14+ Clay
20 Heavy clay
21 Muck
(The higher the CEC, the more holding capacity the soil has)
Negative charges: Anions
Soil elements with anions include Sulfur, Boron, Phosphorus, Nitrate Nitrogen
Positive charges: Cations
Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Hydrogen, Copper, Zinc, Iron, Manganese
(The higher the CEC, the more of these positive ions are held)
Calcium softens the soil; Magnesium hardens the soil
Lime Increases Calcium in the soil
Every 1 lb. of ammonium will free-up 1 lb. of Calcium but Apply in fall only, never in spring or summer (takes energy away from plant).
The above points are a guideline and are only presented as a general observation to guide a grower on what is trying to be achieved when balancing a soil.
Additionally, these guidelines repressent the gold standard for creating perfectly balanced soils for most plants.
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