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Fitchburg , MA

Hi, I have very high P in my soil. I believe much of it is plant unavailable as I have had low P numbers in my tissue tests over the past two growing seasons.

Last year when it was detected I had high P in my soil I stopped applying P. My plant growth was real poor. This was a case of a little information can be dangerous.

From the help of more experienced growers, I learned what i needed to do was spoon feed P throughout the growing season and my plants are far better this year. Another thing I am doing is adding microbes by applying Mammoth P every other week along with humic acid and seaweed.

I was wondering what else I could be doing to lower my Phosphorous. Are there any cover crops I could plant to help by supporting the right microbes to make my P more plant available?

7/29/2022 4:33:46 PM

Grittyville, WA

Its all about ph and soil biology. Some people say ph doesnt matter, its really oxidation state that matters. Soil oxidation/redox is something you could study. I dont understand it well in practical aspects, but I know it has to do with the availability of nutrients. The science part of it makes sense. But how to get from A to B in your garden is more than just understanding ths science. So I dont have any specific suggestions. On the flipside, if you can figure out what works, you dont necessarily have to understand why it works!

8/3/2022 1:07:35 PM

Grittyville, WA

I had off-the-charts growth where I did the solarization and mustard. You could try solarization (Jutras would be the example to follow). Posdibly followed by adding your preferred choice of soil biology. (I didnt add any biologicals... I think I just got better growth by wiping out the bad guys.)

8/3/2022 1:15:04 PM

Nampa

Cover crops definitely help cycle nutrients and adds to soil health. To reduce your existing P, you could mow and bag it to remove nutrients. Don't add any more manure. If your pH is high, keep adding elemental sulfur as this will make the phos more available. My high phos also ties up micronutrients, so you'll want to keep an eye on that, if you're not already.

8/4/2022 9:11:36 AM