G C Childers

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since Mar 17, 2022
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We usually found gypsum improved the soil so that the goldenrod lost out to competition, and the calcium helped structure that soil.
Also, boron, as it needs to be balanced with calcium, is cheap and easy to try too.
An excess of potassium will create a calcium deficiency. (Do you know the land's history?)
Manganese serves as a potassium regulator, which may come in handy.
Low manganese is evident if the veins of the leaf in a plant (and nearby plants) are a lighter color than the leaves, with variations in leaf size.  

Expensive way..
Apply gypsum now and in the fall with some boron on a test section.  
Goldenrod likes compaction and disturbed soil. This will add competition  

Cheaper...
The best bet is to plant a winter cover crop. Maybe mow/graze it low 2–3 weeks before frost and plant a cover crop with 6–12 species, including lots of deep roots to break up that soil and mine minerals from the hardpan and bedrock. That calcium is heavy and sinks in the profile.  Let grass and leaves sit there.

Always helps to cut it before it seeds... burns up the plant energy.

Thought.  Grab a junk round of hay... 2 years old doesn't matter and roll  it out on that area. you could roll round bails. that's 300' 100 yards and that will change that soil.

Other Weeds might say you got too much potassium:  
Pigweed, Burdock, Curly dock, Knapweed
1 week ago
Love
Compost Tea
Chop and Drop
I bet your weed tea is my green manure tea or comfrey tea... into which I'll put just about anything. I bet you do, too. Soda Pop  

I think what you mentioned is actually much more beneficial with much higher efficacy.  

We used this sheet on a property for a big rehaul.
Now, we are looking at a property that got logged off and is deeply compacted. So if we are going to deep rip, then, might as well put the goodies in the basket, and then go with broad-spectrum cover crops to try to get some structure in that soil. Or tons of smelly radishes and beets and no deep rip.
Just adding one item here

I lost two posts. So i'm not as motivated to post the Green Manure lists.  it's long with nutrient stacks and what not.

Wollastonite $350 ton
"Source of Silica/ silicon and Calcium
Wollastonite is a calcium metasilicate mineral with the chemical formula CaSiO3, which is made up of 48.3% calcium oxide (CaO) and 51.7% silicon dioxide (SiO2) by weight. However, it can also contain trace amounts of other elements, such as aluminum, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, or strontium, which can substitute for calcium in the mineral's structure. The amount and type of impurities in wollastonite can affect its color, which can range from bright white to gray, cream, brown, pale green, or red.

Wollastonite is a naturally occurring, needle-shaped mineral that forms when impure limestone is subjected to high pressure and temperature. It has a high melting point, high pH (9.9), and a specific gravity of 2.9, and it exhibits low moisture absorption. Wollastonite is used in a variety of industries, including ceramics, where its fibrous form can help reduce shrinkage and warpage during drying and firing, and increase firing strength

We previously reported that wollastonite, an Organic Materials Reviews Institute–approved natural mineral, can increase soil Si level, increase soil pH, provide pumpkin plants with Si, and increase their resistance to powdery mildew.

We confirmed that wollastonite has liming capabilities similar to regular limestone. Regardless of the application rates, wollastonite and limestone showed similar effects on soil chemistry and plant mineral composition. Pumpkin plants grown with the lower doses of wollastonite amendments (3.13 and 6.25 tons/acre) had the greatest tissue Si concentrations and demonstrated the greatest disease resistance. We conclude that wollastonite is a useful material for organic cucurbit (Cucurbitaceae) growers who want to increase soil pH and improve plant resistance to powdery mildew at the same time. Applying wollastonite at rates beyond the amount required to achieve a desirable soil pH for pumpkin production did not further increase Si uptake, nor did it further suppress powdery mildew development"
https://scholarship.libraries.rutgers.edu/esploro/outputs/journalArticle/Applying-Wollastonite-to-Soil-to-Adjust/991031665565404646
1 week ago
Paramagnetic Soil Amendments: Include at least one in your soil if it’s not active.

Basalt Rock Dust: Iron, magnesium dominate. Enhances soil structure, nutrient availability. Supports microbial activity. High iron (~7,200 cgs) ensures top rank.

Andesite Rock Dust: Silica, iron abound. Boosts microbial life, soil fertility. Improves plant growth. Up to 10,090 cgs places it near basalt.

Scoria Rock Dust: Iron, porosity define. Increases aeration, nutrient retention. Reduces pest issues. ~2,500 cgs (cinderite) ranks it high.

Greenstone: Iron, mixed minerals compose. Elevates soil magnetism, fertility. Promotes robust growth. 5,000–9,000 cgs aligns with volcanic rocks.

Lava Sand: Iron, volcanic minerals enrich. Enhances nutrient uptake, soil health. Supports plant vigor. Likely basalt/scoria, high paramagnetism.

Greensand: Glauconite, iron prevail. Supplies potassium, improves water retention. Strengthens soil structure. Iron-rich glauconite ensures strong magnetism.

Dyna-min: Iron, trace minerals constitute. Enriches soil, boosts magnetism. Aids plant development. Volcanic, assumed high like basalt.

Carbonatite: Iron, carbonates form. Delivers phosphorus, enhances magnetism. Supports root growth. Magnetite potential ranks it strongly.

Volcanic Ash: Iron, fine particles characterize. Improves fertility, disease resistance. Increases nutrient availability. High iron, slightly less processed.

Blood Meal: Hemoglobin, iron provide. Supplies nitrogen, boosts magnetism. Enhances plant growth. Organic iron ranks it moderately.

Granite Rock Dust: Biotite, trace iron contain. Adds trace minerals, supports fertility. Improves soil texture. 200–2,000 µCGS, less than volcanic rocks.

Azomite: Trace minerals, iron include. Enhances nutrient uptake, soil health. Promotes plant vigor. Lower paramagnetism per sources.

Glacial Rock Dust: Iron, calcium vary. Remineralizes soil, boosts fertility. Supports plant health. Variable iron lowers rank.

Vermiculite: Trace iron, silicates compose. Improves aeration, water retention. Enhances soil structure. Weak iron content.

Bentonite: Montmorillonite, iron trace. Increases water retention, nutrient exchange. Stabilizes soil structure. Weak, like montmorillonite.

Montmorillonite: Iron, clay layers form. Boosts cation exchange, water retention. Supports soil fertility. ~2.85 micro cgs, very weak.

Leonardite: Humic acids, trace iron hold. Improves nutrient uptake, soil structure. Enhances microbial activity. Variable iron, weak.

Other Clay Minerals (e.g., illite, kaolinite): Trace iron, silicates vary. Enhance nutrient retention, soil stability. Support plant growth. Minimal, inconsistent iron.
1 week ago
I needed this for a project and it took me some time to compile.
I used The Dan Kittredge Amendments mostly, another post, but added in some things because we had really poor soil water holding capacity.
Mostly Zeolite (7 tons) and BioChar (3 tons) per acre. Won't know the results for couple years probably.

List of Soil natural non-salt Amendments and Benefits :

Compost
Enhances soil structure and water retention.
Adds nutrients (N, P, K) and boosts microbial activity.
Improves fertility and promotes healthy plant growth.

Manure
Supplies organic matter and nutrients (N, P, K).
Improves soil texture and microbial activity.
Increases fertility and supports vigorous plant growth.

Biochar
Improves soil porosity and water retention.
Sequesters carbon and reduces nutrient leaching.
Enhances soil health and supports sustainability.

Gypsum
Reduces soil compaction and improves structure.
Provides calcium and sulfur for plant strength.
Enhances water infiltration and root growth.

Lime
Raises soil pH and improves nutrient availability.
Supplies calcium and enhances soil structure.
Promotes microbial activity and plant growth.

Dolomitic Lime
Raises pH and provides calcium and magnesium.
Improves nutrient availability and soil structure.
Supports photosynthesis and healthy growth.

Rock Phosphate
Supplies slow-release phosphorus for roots.
Enhances flowering and soil fertility.
Supports energy transfer in plants.

Greensand
Provides potassium, iron, and trace minerals.
Improves soil structure and fertility.
Enhances plant resilience and health.

Kelp Meal
Supplies trace minerals and growth hormones.
Stimulates plant growth and stress resistance.
Improves soil health and productivity.

Bone Meal
Provides phosphorus and calcium for roots.
Enhances flowering and soil fertility.
Supports fruit and seed development.

Blood Meal
Supplies quick nitrogen for leafy growth.
Provides iron for chlorophyll production.
Enhances soil fertility and vigor.

Feather Meal
Offers slow-release nitrogen for fertility.
Improves soil structure and microbial activity.
Supports long-term plant health.

Worm Castings
Adds nutrients and beneficial microbes.
Improves soil structure and water retention.
Enhances plant resilience and growth.

Humic Acid
Enhances nutrient uptake and soil structure.
Stimulates microbial activity and growth.
Increases plant tolerance to stress.

Fulvic Acid
Improves nutrient absorption and growth.
Stimulates microbes and supports soil health.
Enhances plant resilience to drought.

Zeolite
Improves water retention and nutrient exchange.
Enhances soil structure and microbial habitats.
Supports healthy plant growth.

Perlite
Enhances aeration and drainage in soil.
Reduces compaction and improves root growth.
Supports overall plant vigor.

Vermiculite
Improves water retention and aeration.
Supplies magnesium and potassium for nutrition.
Enhances soil texture and growth.

Coco Coir
Enhances water retention and structure.
Provides potassium and improves aeration.
Supports sustainable root development.

Peat Moss
Improves water retention and organic matter.
Lowers pH for acid-loving plants.
Enhances soil fertility and roots.

Wood Ash
Raises pH and provides potassium, calcium.
Improves nutrient availability and structure.
Supports microbial activity and growth.

Straw
Improves soil structure and moisture retention.
Adds organic matter and enhances fertility.
Supports microbial activity and growth.

Alfalfa Meal
Provides nitrogen, potassium, and micronutrients.
Stimulates growth and improves fertility.
Enhances soil health and resilience.

Cottonseed Meal
Supplies nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Improves soil structure and fertility.
Supports acid-loving plants and growth.

Soybean Meal
Provides nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Enhances soil structure and fertility.
Supports vegetative growth and health.

Leonardite
Supplies humic acid and improves structure.
Enhances nutrient uptake and fertility.
Supports microbial activity and growth.

Langbeinite (Sul-Po-Mag)
Provides potassium, magnesium, and sulfur.
Improves fertility and photosynthesis.
Enhances plant resilience and health.

Carbonatite
Supplies phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium.
Enhances root development and fertility.
Improves soil structure and health.
1 week ago
2025 Recipe List (PPA) Amounts: Pounds Per Acre

400 lbs Sul-Po-Mag / Langbeinite
100 lbs Rock Phosphate
100 lbs Gypsum
100 lbs Greensand
100 lbs Humates
100 lbs Carbonatite / Dolomitic Lime (with Mg)
100 lbs Dyna-Min / Azomite
50 lbs Kelp
50 lbs Sea Salt
50 lbs Alfalfa Meal
50 lbs Compost

1200 lbs per acre so this is for committed area..
the 100# of rock dust/ azomite Dyna-Min was left as unfinished thought.
He has some depots with these amendments around the country. Not all amendments are needed everywhere. For example:
If you have excess calcium, remove gypsum and lime.
If you have excess phosphorus, remove rock phosphate.
If you have too much Potassium tune down or eliminate Sul-po-Mag (Langbeinite)
Adjust accordingly.  
Never forget foliar sprays as cheat codes.
Also deep rooted plants can drag these mineral from your bedrock if they are there over time.

PPA conversion charts
1000 lbs per acre = 23.0 lbs per 1000 sq ft = 2.3 lbs per 100 sq ft
500 lbs per acre = 11.5 lbs per 1000 sq ft = 1.15 lbs per 100 sq ft
100 lbs per acre = 2.3 lbs per 1000 sq ft = 0.23 lbs per 100 sq ft
20 lbs per acre = 0.46 lbs per 1000 sq ft = 0.046 lbs (0.74 oz) per 100 sq ft
5 lbs per acre = 0.11 lbs (2 oz) per 1000 sq ft = 0.011 lbs (0.18 oz) per 100 sq ft
1 week ago