TOPIC: Soil dilemma

Today I got back soil test results for 5 areas I will plant ginseng on.
One in particular has me needing advice. I have not planted anything here yet but I plan on doing so next Fall.

Phosphorus 15 lb acre
Potassium. 479 lb acre
Soil ph. 5.1
Buffer ph. 6.4
Calcium. 2099 lb acre
Magnesium 362 lb acre
Zinc. 3.8 lb acre
CEC. 16
%K 4. %Ca 32 %Mg 9 %H 54

My questions

The phosphorus is very low and needs ammending. What do you think I should use to get to 95 lb acre? Bonemeal or regular fertilizer?

My second question is since the ph is 5.1 should I go ahead and lime it to get to the 6.0 level and benefit from the additional calcium it will supply?

Redbeard,
I did a little calculating on your soil needs compared to soil analysis that I did on my own lots a few years ago. This is going to be a generalization and if you have a dealer who mixes fertilizer it may be a little different from my suggestions. If you get it mixed it will be quite expensive.
Something like 0/90/0 would be close to the mixed formula. A good grade of plain Phosphorus with high analysis would work also. Triple Super Phosphate would get you there in a hurry. You could use a small amount of lime mixed with at least 8 bags of Gypsum to one acre for the Calcium needs. Use the granular fertilizer instead of the Bonemeal. Again, I am making suggestions that are not specific. Good luck.
Hugh

Thanks Hugh,
My extension agent mentioned the super triple phosphate also. I searched this forum way back to see what others have done in this situation but couldnt find anything definite that showed whether bone meal or the phosphate fertilizer were best.
I am afraid that if I dont raise the ph a little now that over time it will go down from the current 5.1 to a lower less ginseng friendly ph. What really has me puzzled is that there is a table in Scott Persons book of a study that says ph 5.1 is optimum for ginseng. All other papers I have read call for 5.5 to 6.5 or the ginseng will have problems.
I have never used gypsum before but I think I will invest in some and try it oit on this spot.
By the way I just watched one of your videos on youtube this morning. Very informative.
Thanks Redbeard

Redbeard,
A rough estimate we figure on around here is to add around 1 ton per acre to raise ph (depending on soil type). I don't have to raise mine (right the opposite actually) but on other projects I just figure it down from 43,560ft' and it seems to work out pretty close with our soils here.

Hillhopper

Hillhopper,
That sounds about right to me too. The lime tables I saw online called for about 3.25 tons per acre with 100% effective lime. I think this is based on the assumption that it will be worked in to the plow depth. Since Im going to topdress only I think about 1/3 of that (1 ton) should get me in the range I want. Thanks for bringing that up I have a tendency to do things by the book often without thinking that theres so many variables in play.
The other 4 areas tested were all in the 5.4 to 5.7 range. All 5 were very low on phosphorus. Calcium was from 2099 to 3957.
I thought overall they passed my expectations. Then I went searching this forum to find answers to address the low P problem and read your soil test results. You are very fortunate to have such a prime piece of land.
Thanks Redbeard

Redbeard,
It sounds like you are on the right track to getting your soil amended to where you want it. I'll mentioned a couple of things that you might want to consider as time moves along to keep things about where you want them to be in the soil.
You mentioned Hillhopper's soil analysis being extremely good and I agree with you. It appears that your soil tends to leach off Phosphorus pretty badly causing it to be low and Phosphorous has a tendency to leach down hill or down slope if given enough time. Gypsum also needs to be refreshed after 2-3 years so I would recommend you taking another soil sample within at least 3 years to see just how things have changed and see what needs to be adjusted. That second soil amendment should hold you for the lifetime of your patch according to what I have read.
Again, good luck with your planting.
Hugh

I think I'd leave that acidic pH alone. As others have indicated... some of those micronutreints are worthy of concern, however generally, that soils analysis looks pretty good!

Hugh,
Next Fall I plan on having another soil test ran on this spot. Here in KY we get 5 free soil tests a year thru the county extension office. It takes just a few minutes and the time spent should be made up in $$ years down the road.
The area is only about 3000 to 4000 sq feet so cost to ammend it wiil be small.
Whitjr,
In your patches, once they were established, have you noticed any change in ph on later soil test results. If I could be assured that ph will remain the same or only drop slightly I won't lime it.
I'm going to plant this spot no till with a seeder I made myself so after I make ammendments do I call it a wild sim planting, cultivated even though no cultivation will take place, or as I read on here some where virtually worthless?
If you guys are interested I'll post pictures of the seeder and the steps I used to make. Let me know.
Thanks Redbeard