On Tue, 17 May 2005, DigitalVinyl wrote:

Dominic, I'm more careful and avoid too much nitrogen fertilizers. I
operate on the assumption that most answers are incomplete, so I used
mutliple sources of fertilizer. but I was always careful about
nitrogen. Which bit me in the behind with corn since it is a grass and
a heavy nitrogen feeder. I stress phosphorous most and then potassium
over nitrogen and so far I'm having good luck.

Thanks for your overall remarks. You have clearly pondered these
thoughts in some detail. The general nutrient depletion, especially
the Ca2+ and phosphate, makes me wonder what the final pH of the
final admix for your hybrid soil?

I note that pH can potently influence Ca2+ and phosphate availabilty.
Also, I have been more inclined to having rocks present, maybe as
a source of nutrients or at least a mechanical interface roots can
draw water and dissolved nutrients from better than the mainly
clay soil I presently have. I have questions about which kinds of
rocks, but it sounds like limestone is a good choice, and I happen
to have access to this.

With regard to nitrogen, what do you think about interspersing
nitrogen fixers (beans, peas, etc) in some arrangement together
with tomatoes or tomatillos (or any other vegetable for that
matter)? It seems nitrogen content of soil would increase as the
growing season progresses, which might be favorable for tomatoes.


Dominic-Luc Webb