Howdy! Back with another query. On our plot, we had a soil test performed by the local CO-OP, and now we’re trying to interpret the results. We expected to be disappointed; the area is bare dirt, and the forest mat was scraped entirely away, so now we are working to heal the area the permaculture way.
The CO-OP is very much geared toward larger farming operations, so I’m wondering how applicable their advice is to amending the soil. They suggest a heavy application of lime to improve the pH. I’ve attached the important bits from the soil test for your viewing pleasure 🙂
Currently, we have cover crop seeds en route (peas/oats), and we plan to add compost and spent mushroom blocks before seeding, composting again, and spreading a layer of straw to mulch and keep the seeds/compost in place.
There is still time, though, to add lime per the CO-OP’s suggestion, but I’m curious to know what other people would do in this situation. I’ve seen many methods and differing opinions on soil pH altogether, so I figured I should keep scurrying down this rabbit hole.
The highlights are as follows:
- Soil pH 5.1
- Buffer pH 6.86
- Phosphorus (P) 6 ppm
- Potassium (K) 99 ppm
- Calcium (Mg) 35 ppm
- Organic Matter 3.3%
submitted by /u/baby_the_cakes
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