Hello. I have 2 raised beds that I mixed in several bags of organic raised bed soil with several bags of mushroom compost as well as some Vermiculite. Then I sent away a soil sample. And the result looks quite bad. Several things are extremely high, while nitrogen is nearly not existent. Can anyone recommend anything? I have attached the test results. Thanks
High nutrients in garden soil test
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I can't see the test for some reason, it won't open. All you can do is to remove half of the mix and replace with native soil. Its best to let the orgainic amements cook for a few months or a whole season before planting. Come back in a year and it may be ready.
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Howdy @Miller535 and welcome. I'm personally not a big fan of mushroom compost...although many use it.
Composted animal manure e.g. cow, horse, chicken are good sources of nutrients and blood meal is high in nitrogen.
Mix some into both beds and I wouldn't hesitate to plant right away and not worry about the other high readings. Maybe grow some root crops like potatoes to use those high minerals.
That's the same soil test lab I use. Good reliable tests. Did you happen to check the nutrient density score?
Composted animal manure e.g. cow, horse, chicken are good sources of nutrients and blood meal is high in nitrogen.
Mix some into both beds and I wouldn't hesitate to plant right away and not worry about the other high readings. Maybe grow some root crops like potatoes to use those high minerals.
That's the same soil test lab I use. Good reliable tests. Did you happen to check the nutrient density score?
Awesome. Thanks. Here is the nutrients density.
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That's a very good score although I like to get it above 90% by using a lot of organic matter in the soil.
A lot of stores around here and Amazon carries this stuff, and it works great...
A lot of stores around here and Amazon carries this stuff, and it works great...
Won't that make my potassium and phosphorus even higher?
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The ratios for general chicken manure = 5% Nitrogen (N), 4% Phosphorus (P) and 2% Potassium (K).
You need the nitrogen, and the "K" is lowest (2%) where yours is highest. Your "P" isn't that bad IMO.
If it concerns you, skip but you do need to get some Nitrogen in there.
You need the nitrogen, and the "K" is lowest (2%) where yours is highest. Your "P" isn't that bad IMO.
If it concerns you, skip but you do need to get some Nitrogen in there.
I ordered some Blood meal from Amazon. It has the same ratio the test company recommended, so I should be able to use their recommended dosage i think
I’ve got some new raised beds and the garden soil and raised bed mix had very similar test results with very low nitrogen and a ph of 7.5. I’m using blood meal to bring up the nitrogen. I’ve got the LaMottes Gardeners Soil Test Kit which gives pretty accurate results so I can retest at home to see any improvement in the nitrogen