What Your Soil Test Doesn't Show You

Glen Rabenberg, owner of Soil Works LLC, explains what a soil test DOES NOT show you from a soil test report. In simple terms, he talks about how the minerals you see on your soil test report interact in the soil. The soil test report will give you a snapshot of the minerals you have in your soil, but does it tell you how those minerals interact with each other in the soil?
For more information and resources, visit www.soilworksl... or call us at 605.260.0784.
Glen's Tools (penetrometer, EC Meter, BRIX Refractometer): www.soilworksl...

[@crazysquirrel9425]

I have like 17 pots for tomatoes and such. They sit in oil change pans so they get subirrigated.
NO LOSS of squat via water.
Adding in Biochar to your soil can help a lot too. Increases the CEC too.

[@TS-vr9of]

Pertaining to Calcium, its important to remember that calcium can migrate as mentioned, but its equally import to keep in mind that we are not farming a flowerpot. Minerals DO Not have to be homogenized for plant uptake. a Farmer friend of mine has corn growing roots 4 feet down, Because he's managing with no-till and roll down cover crops, his soil has become a lot more mellow and is gaining Soil organic Carbon yearly, but on his tillage plot's corn is only going down 20 inches. Tillage is unnecessary, a healthy population of microbes will balance the chemistry to create healthy soil. Only need to Minimize disturbance and feed them through the year with root exudates. ( No-tillage, No fallow)

[@SoilWorksLLC-GSRCalcium]

TS - You are correct we are not farming flowerpots. In order for minerals to be available for plant uptake, the soil needs two critical components; soil pore space and microbial activity. Unfortunately, these two numbers are often un-reported on most soil tests. Sub-soil soil testing is only relevant if your soil has pore space and biological activity to mineralize deep in the soil profile. Checking those numbers in the field with a penetrometer and EC meter can improve management decisions. Congratulations to your farmer friend! A well educated and dedicated farm manager is vital to success. Healthy populations of soil microbes are key to creating healthy soil. However, there are more ways than one to get to that goal. No-till, when poorly managed, can fail. The key is understanding the components of healthy soil and managing your operation towards those goals with the best tools available.

[@crazysquirrel9425]

Look up How they got rid of Mormon Crickets.

[@dollartreegrower3969]

great video DTG!

[@gmoac]

excellent!

[@timheitman9819]

Do you believe in biochar

[@DaveE99]

It works, though I expect further research to come out eventually with more refined interventions. Best to innoculate it first.

[@Yotaciv]

Ive wondered if humic/fulvic acids are just as good as biochar?

[@DaveE99]

@@Yotaciv they tech are bio stimulants, while biochar is tech a amendment. Though not sure if this takes into account innoculated bio char.