From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Colorado

I've never done a soil test and I'm beginning to think that is probably a thing holding me back. How helpful was it for you?

8/24/2025 9:26:10 PM

Grittyville, WA

I mean, the soil balancing thing will help you. But I have not done that per se. I have done a few tests this year. They can help but they can also mislead you. The soil biology can suck up any nutrient it wants faster than the plant can. There are both biological and mineral interactions that can cause temporary imbalances, it seems.

8/25/2025 2:18:02 PM

Grittyville, WA

I am partly relying on past tissue tests I did on a pumpkin near this spot. I know the deficiencies that developed over the summer. Not sure why these deficiencies occur but it could be that the beneficial mineralization of the soil that occurs over the winter sort of goes away towards the end of the summer.

[Last edit: 08/25/25 2:23:32 PM]

8/25/2025 2:21:15 PM

Grittyville, WA

About 16 minutes in it gets interesting...

He says soils that test low can see no response when more is added. And oils that test high might nevertheless show a positive response when more is added. I think it has to do with unseen soil biology factors.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B6XMonWACPM&pp=ygUSWmluYyBqZWZmIHNjaGVvbmF1

Science is great but it becomes more of an art than a science. Because the science, as we shallowly comprehend it, doesn't have all the correct answers.

8/25/2025 6:31:30 PM

Grittyville, WA

Best wishes Scott... I know you can reach the next level if u want to... it just requires luck. Or an of obsessive willingness to sort out what works and what doesnt! Do whatever will stack the deck in your favor.

[Last edit: 08/25/25 6:38:41 PM]

8/25/2025 6:36:09 PM

San Diego, CA

Scott... i think that you'll find a professional soil test enlightening and should open the door to the next level. Proper interpretation of the test is highly crucial. The "Langley" spreadsheet is a great starting place. Hit me up if you can't find a copy.

8/25/2025 10:09:43 PM

Colorado

I still have a suspicion that one or two bags of the compost from CSU here in fort Collins is the trouble maker. The University took all it's food scraps and everything organic it could and turned it into compost. My tomatoes were going gang busters headed toward 4 and 5 pounds then the bacterial wilt hit and that was the end of the line. I'm not sure the soil ever fully recovered after that.

8/26/2025 11:58:03 AM

Grittyville, WA

I have a pile of alfalfa compost that I suspect has it, but I had it last year too in at least one spot. Just try to do a little better every year.

8/26/2025 7:23:45 PM

Grittyville, WA

Grafting onto resistant rootstock is an option but I suspect there are other causes and solutions as well.

8/26/2025 7:25:05 PM