SOIL TESTING PHILOSOPHY:

To maintain sufficient nutrient levels in the soil for optimum crop production by utilizing soil tests and other soil "factors" as guidelines for nutrient levels and soil conditions. Thus, "optimizing nutrient management by balancing the soil SYSTEM."

UNDERSTANDING OUR TEST RESULTS:

Each field we run tests for has recommendations based on optimum yields and cost-effectiveness. At Cook's Consulting, we test for "available" nutrients, which are the nutrients the plant utilizes through uptake for growth and maturity. In addition to testing nutrient levels, we also test for "soil conditions" such as Aluminum content, organic matter, soil texture, cation exchange capacity , % base saturation and hydrogen ion concentration in the soil. These "soil conditions," along with the tested nutrient levels, provide us with the information we need for making cost-effective manure, fertilizer and soil amendment recommendations for your fields and/or gardens.

At Cook's Consulting, we want you to have a better understanding of our testing procedures and recommendations. Then, you are able to utilize this information to enhance production on your soil resources. We stand behind all of our tests, and, will recheck a sample free of charge if any test is in doubt. If at anytime you have questions on our soil tests, please feel free to Contact us at 315-376-3002.

soil tests available by mail order...

SOIL TEST REPORT INTERPRETATIONS

GUIDELINES FOR ALL TESTS:

pH & Ca:

- High pH & Low Ca Level: Look for K and/or Mg to be High. Lime for Ca Level, not for pH Adjustment.

- Low pH: Look for Low Ca Level; Heavy Metals may be High (Fe, Al, Zn, Mn, etc.) which can be Toxic to plant growth!!!

SOIL TEXTURE:

- We test for % Sand, Silt & Clay because this shows exactly what Soil Texture you are working with.

- Knowing the Soil Texture is important in making Lime & Fertilizer Recommendations.

- Soil Texture is also important to know for an effective Herbicide Program to work properly.

ORGANIC MATTER:

- Organic Matter Levels for Field Crops should be between 3% to 5%

- Organic Matter Levels for Vegetable Crops should be between 5% to 7%

- The Organic Matter Level is important to know for an effective Herbicide Program to work properly.

ESTIMATED NITROGEN RELEASE (ENR):

- The ENR is the amount of "AVAILABLE" Nitrogen (Lbs/A) that should be released during the Growing Season

CATION EXCHANGE CAPACITY (C.E.C.):

- This test shows the soil's ability to exchange its Cations (Ca, Mg, & K) for Plant Growth and Development.

- Each Soil Texture has a "Normal" Range of C.E.C. for optimum Plant Growth and Development. We include this range in our Test Reports for your information.

% BASE SATURATION:

- % Base Saturation shows how saturated the Soil is with the Cations of Ca, Mg, & K.

- The % Base Saturation is used as a reliable "check" to see if the soil system as a whole, is balanced for optimum crop productivity and quality. Experience has shown that optimum crop quality and production are best achieved when the % Base Saturation for Ca is around 80%, Mg is at 10% and K equals 5%.

- The Chart at the Bottom of our Soil test Report shows the "% Base Saturation" vs. the "Desired" % Saturation of Ca, Mg and K.

% HYDROGEN CONCENTRATION (NEW):

- We are now including the % Hydrogen Ion (H+) concentration of the soil along with the % Base Saturation on our soil test reports. The Hydrogen Ion concentration shows how much "nutrient space" the Hydrogen Ion is taking up in place of needed nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, etc.) for growth and development. The Hydrogen Ion % value is derived from the relationship among the pH level, the % Organic Matter, the Cation Exchange Capacity (C.E.C.), and the % Base Saturation for Ca, Mg and K from the soil test.

FALL SOIL TEST PACKAGE ("Base Saturation" Test):

- We recommend testing pH, Ca, Mg & K Levels and % Base Saturation in the Fall, so Lime and Fertilizer Recommendations can be made in order to get the Crop ready for winter. These tests are particularly critical for NEW SEEDINGS!!!

- If You can only afford to put fertilizer on a Crop ONCE during the year, then, FALL is the BEST time to do this!!!!

home