Agronomy help

[ste stuart]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could help me out a bit.

I've been sent this soil report for a garden we have to sort out, but i don't really understand it too well. I can see that the ph is low, and lime will sort that, but how much does it need?
I can see also that the magnesium and potassium are low, I presume there are fertilisers for this? But again it's the doses that I'm struggling with. Or are both of these affected by the low ph?

Any help or advise you could offer would be appreciated.

Thanks, ste

 

[nick...]

@Mounty or @Cab-over Pete
Nick...

 

[Cab-over Pete]

You have a pH of 4.5 if I'm reading it correctly on my small phone screen. That's about as low as I ever see.

You're going to need about 10/t ha to sort that, but in two or three applications spread over several months would be best. Ground lime only, screened may not do it.

10t/ha is 1kg/m2, so measure the garden and apply accordingly. I'm no gardener but consider the needs of what your planting. For instance a rhododendron bush would love it like it is, but carrots and broccoli won't!!

I expect I'm wrong. and I have advised on a pure pH raising angle only.

 

[Brisel]

What kind of area are you talking about? 20 sq m? pH is the main thing you need to fix & COP has answered that. K & Mg aren't too bad. A bit of K needed maybe. Some complete fertiliser should do it once you have sorted the pH.

 

[franklin]

I'd say sort pH, and then re-sample.

 

[david]

I agree with Static, correct the pH and re-sample as the acidity will be locking up P and K. A soil sample only quantifies 'plant available' P & K, so there may be adequate quantities if the soil pH was corrected.

 

[Mounty]

What they said ^

 

[ste stuart]

Thanks chaps, that a great help.

Ste

 

[Hampton]

How good was your sampling? Is it possible that the sample got contaminated or the sample collected contained an acidic piece.
That soil is virtually as acidic as vinegar so may be worth rechecking.

 

[MNBVCXZ]

Organic matter level is interesting.

 

[Mounty]

Yes, I thought that. Nearly a fifth of the sample was combustable !!