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7:14 pm
July 21, 2015
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I did the Ag Labs too along with the email series (good learned a lot) the test is too expensive & I got the minerals but didn't use them. Luke is a nightmare.
I like this guys thoughts, http://www.SmilingGardener.com I've used the EM's they are wonderful for the garden. Also you should be growing comfrey to make a tea as a fertilizer, also use fish emulsion & liquid kelp. I used the azomite this summer for transplanting, seemed to do well but not sure I will use it again.
It looks like we have a lot in common in our goals Christine!
11:59 pm
May 6, 2015
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It sure does, Marilyn! We are growing some comfrey, been trying for years, but it's been a struggle. Ordered some root cuttings and am thrilled to have a few going now.
Why didn't you use the minerals?
How does your soil test compare to ours?
I've been thinking about using EM, just got Bio-Red microbes (nitrogen fixers) and will be posting about products we've been using within the next few days.
It's great to meet other serious gardeners like you. It's HARD getting a good garden going in our tough climate (even tougher for you in winter) and we need to share as many resources as possible.
So glad to have you on board!
7:18 pm
July 21, 2015
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I didn't use the minerals because the soil test was for native dirt hubby suddenly decided to buy a truck load of dirt for the beds. Was afraid it wouldn't work out well.
I'll look up the soil test & see if I can post it.
If you need more comfrey this fall let me know I have lots, maybe trade for huckleberries? Do you do a comfrey tea for your plants?
I've tried to find other serious gardeners around here. Very few they all gave up. So far all the garden looks pretty good.
Hopefully soon we can get our hoop house up. We got a deal on a local one 30' x 90' that had wind damage but at least 80' is fine. She just wanted it gone.
So glad to have found you too.
Marilyn
3:06 am
July 21, 2015
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My Ag Lab soil test from 2014 - I will just put the Lab Results
NITRATES - 40
AMMONIA - 28
PHOSPHORUS - 665
POTASSIUM - 972
CALCIUM - 6466
MAGNESIUM - 228
SODIUM - 10
ERGS - 257
ORP - 31
pH - 8.1
COPPER - 0.7
IRON - 3.5
ZINC - 1.4
MANGANESE - 2.2
BORON - 2.4
SULFUR - Not Tested
ORGANIC MATTER - Not Tested
FORMAZAN- Not Tested
Marilyn
9:51 pm
May 6, 2015
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Wow, your soil test looks so much better than ours! Same 8.1 pH, but not nearly as much calcium as we have. Your P/K and CA / Mg ratios aren't perfect, but much better than hours. Wonder why your P and K are so much higher.
I've been reading several books lately (will post those too) and am at the point where I know how much I don't know.
Considering how big your beds are, I'd do a soil test for them too and get the recommendations and then you should be able to use at least some of the amendments you already bought.
Definitely would like to visit you once it cools off and maybe you can come over to our place. For the huckleberries I'd have to bring the berries instead of plants for seeds so you can grow them next year. Might have some other plants that interest you. I've started to take cuttings off trees and shrubs and got a misting system, got LOTS of rooted blackberries right now and once they're planted, will take cuttings from other berries, shrubs and trees.
4:47 am
May 6, 2015
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I've tried to find other serious gardeners around here. Very few they all gave up. So far all the garden looks pretty good.
Meant to comment on that. I've also met many gardeners that gave up. It IS hard to get a good garden going in the desert.
I think the rabbits, squirrels, rats and gophers are the biggest problems. We just had gophers invade, they're in the hoophouse 2 feet from an 8+ ft apricot tree that I grew from seed. Took them 4 years to get there. They also just killed off one of our zucchini plants in a new garden area.
Recently ordered several hundred feet of hardware cloth (best price I found was Home Depot special order) and I'm determined to keep them out of the new orchard and garden areas.
And then the wind, the sun, the cold and the occasional hail ...
It's so hard to get new plants going, but once they're established, you can hardly kill them. I like the permaculture concept because it takes care of most of these problems.
5:46 am
July 21, 2015
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Christine said
am at the point where I know how much I don't know.
Exactly!! I read so much I confuse myself, then have to back off for a bit.
Would love to see your place too.
Some of mine may be better because ours is an old homestead. We have rock buildings that used to be a stagecoach stop between Holbrook/Woodruff & St. Johns. There are 2 houses & each one the center is old stone & then added on. Stone buildings are 1870 or so & the houses were added on to in 1921. Our well was drilled in 1917 & is artesian pumping 5 gal. a min all on it own. Also 2 small canyons drain into our property on the way to the little colorado so we get other peoples top soil. This was a headquarters for a larger ranch (I think) 20+ years ago but has not been taken care of since so we have our work cut out for us.
6:04 pm
May 6, 2015
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Wow, what a great place! An artisian well, the old buildings, so cool! And so much humus in your "native" soil. Sure wish I had a setup like that.
And I again had to approve your post, have to figure this out.
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