Improving the soil

10 years ago

Hi guys!

i recently did a soil test using one of those store bought kits with the different colored pellets I was surprised to find that my soil was low on pretty much everything even though I amended it with compost and manure and I give the roses liquid fertilizer once a week.

my 3 biggest deficiencies are nitrogen & potash both of which are very low followed by phosphorus which was medium. Obviously the liquid fertilizer is perhaps keeping the roses growing, but not improving the soil or helping it to retain nutrition. (I use miracle grow bloom booster liquifeed). I also have added granular fertilizer about once every 3-4 months (slow release). I'm actually shocked to see these deficiencies because so far, I thought I had excellent soil with all my amendments and fertilizer. It has a nice rich consistency and a good amount of worms, but the Rose bed is relatively new. I had a small patch I grew annuals in then I removed a giant philodendron added some bagged compost and manure and planted roses there.

Of course now I wish I would have tested the soil before planting the roses, but alas. The roses are not doing horribly, but if they can improve I'd be thrilled.

what can I add to the soil to improve its overall nutrition that will last over time? Also it tested neutral in PH should I try to make it slightly more acidic?

here are test pics:

Featured Answer

jim1961 Central Pennsylvania Zone 6a

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

My first concern would be the accuracy of the soil kit...

You might be interested in reading about the accuracy of different soil testing kits..

http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/soiltest.htm

Bottom line of the article:

Conclusions:

None of the test kits I purchased provided accurate results and I'm going to throw them all away.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not sure what your Florida soil consists of but Sandy soils get depleted of nutrients quicker also...

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Comments (6)

wirosarian_z4b_WI
10 years ago
Fine Gardening also had an article on these kind of kits a few years back & came to the same conclusion that jim1961 shared with you. Also I'm retired from a job that did swimming pool evaluations, part of which required me to use a prof. grade test kit with color change reagents similar to your test kit. I had to be very careful to keep the test kit out of direct sun light, not to let it "cook" in hot summer sun or "freeze" in the winter while I had it in my car. All of the reagents were dated with a 3 mo. expiration date so I could be sure of accurate test results. I've seen these home garden test kits so mishandled in the stores that I question whether they are of any value.
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fig_insanity Z7b E TN
10 years ago
I would contact your local state university extension office and have a reliable test done. It's inexpensive, and the tests will be calibrated for local conditions.

University of FL Extension Offices

Soil Sample Submission for FL
susuwantsit
10 years ago
The best way to improve your soil is to feed the soil with organic matter. Rotten horse manure, rotted leaves, decomposed food waste, fish emulsion--stuff like that. When you use Miracle Gro etc you are sending "food" to the roots of the plant but you aren't improving the soil and you may be harming it.

I think if you have rich soil with good consistency and see lots of worms when you dig then your soil is just fine! Oftentimes we want to fuss over our roses but if they are doing well that's great!

A soil analysis can tell you what specific nutrients may be missing but that's it. Put down compost or manure every spring and give them a fish emulsion drench twice a month.

Also, is your soil sandy? Clay soils hold nutrients longer.

How old are your roses and in what way do you want them to improve?

Susan
User
10 years ago
I also question the wisdom of using chemical fertilizer. Once I was distributing the pellets without my gloves on, and it really stung an abrasion on my hand very badly. So I ask myself how does a worm feel if that caustic stuff touches its' soft body??? And, I, too, have heard that those soil-test kits are not reliable.
dan_keil_cr Keil
10 years ago
To answer your question, PH runs all the chemical processes. Roses need 6.3 to 6.8

Anything out of that range, nutrients lock up and are not available to the plant.

As far as using chemical fertilizers I use Monty's Joy Juice which is 98% organic. I have used Miracle Grow for years and I still have good soil.