After the final harvest from Bed #4, I took some soil samples. It’s been three years, I think, since the soil was professionally tested. In the spring this particular bed was planted with broccoli, and in the summer it was planted with corn and butternut squash. All heavy feeders. I’m expecting the soil to be completely depleted.
Ten days after mailing I got the test results from Rutger’s and, SURPRISE! The results weren’t what I expected at all. Take a look…
The nutrient profile was surprisingly good. I wish I could say that regular compost applications alone had accomplished this, but I cannot. I did use some commercial organic fertilizer this year, at the beginning and midpoint of the season. So some of this might be due to that. Considering how high the numbers are, though, I probably didn’t need it. Compost alone might have been enough. Only one way to find out. I’m going to garden without the expensive store bought stuff next year.
With one exception. The pH is a little low, so I will follow the recommendations and add some lime.