nutrient replenishment

[BGB]

In an earlier thread I inquired about crop rotation and for the most part got some good feedback. I am concerned about brassicas and planting year after year. Ed Spin says that the chance for disease is minimized when planting brassicas late season which is good info because this plot is a great attractant in my area. However, is there any way to replenish the nutrients in the soil that these plant deplete besides the addition of normal fertilizer to assist these fall plots?

[sandbur3]

The application of manure would replenish many of these nutrients. Manure should be tilled in or injected to conserve the nitrogen. Fertilizer content varies with the type of manure. Manure often lowers the pH a bit.

[Luv2hunteup]

I don't claim to be an expert but I've had great results planting different kinds of brassica. Adding lime will put calcium along with magnesium in your soil. it will also allow for better nutrient uptake.

Brassica likes large amounts of nitrogen so rotating it with clover really helps. Also planting deep rooted annuals can help with drawing nutients up that has leached into the soil. Buckwheat can help with that. Most years there's enough time to get in 2 plantings of buckwheat followed by a late summer planting of brassica.

I have a few pics in my gallery of some successful brassica plots, check out some of the results. I try to plant brassica every year but usually complain about not being able to plant enough. That changed with heavy doses of fertilizer. 200lbs per acre of triple 19 plus 100 lbs per acre of 46-0-0 gives me alot more volume of plant material on the same acreage.

[chasmo54]

Your soil could be loaded with nutrients. If the pH is off the plant, cant uptake the nutrients that are there already. You can buy pH test kits at Lowe’s or any local garden center. Check your pH on a regular basis and adjust as needed. The nutrient most likely your soil is in short supply of is nitrogen. The 46-0-0 is inexpensive but should be put down when it's going to rain. 46-0-0 will volatize into the air if it isn't watered in.

[riverman]

chasmo54 is right. MAKE sure your ph is correct or you are just wasting money on fertilizer. Nitogen fertilizers prices are directly related to the price of nat gas. They are NOT cheap and like he said, if you are going to use urea, work it in the ground or put it on right before a rain.

[BGB]

THANKS FOR THE REPLIES. iT GIVES ME SOME DIRECTION.


LUVS2HUNTEUP-THANKS TO YOU. THE FIRST TIME I VISITED THIS SITE TWO YEARS AGO I READ SOME OF YOUR POSTS AND VIEWED SOME OF YOUR IMAGES--IT GAVE ME INSPIRATION
I HAVE ONE PROBLEM, I HATE TURNING BUCKWHEAT UNDER BECAUSE THE GROUSE AND TURKEY LUV IT. ALTHOUGH IT NEVER GOT TO SEED THIS YEAR BECAUSE THE CERVID KEPT IT MOWED