Hi there,

Earlier this spring I planted some cucumber starts in a 6’ by 3-foot plot
that apparently was overloaded with nitrogen.
After a few weeks in the sun they shriveled and died. I then dug out a “V”
section of the plot and replaced it with topsoil then
replanted some fresh starts. It looks like the new ones are starting to burn
as well.

What can be done with this section?
Will I have to wait until the rain washes away the extra nitrogen before I
can plant anything?

On Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:15:53 GMT, "Mike" wrote:

Hi there,

Earlier this spring I planted some cucumber starts in a 6’ by 3-foot plot
that apparently was overloaded with nitrogen.
After a few weeks in the sun they shriveled and died. I then dug out a “V”
section of the plot and replaced it with topsoil then
replanted some fresh starts. It looks like the new ones are starting to burn
as well.

What can be done with this section?
Will I have to wait until the rain washes away the extra nitrogen before I
can plant anything?


First thing to do is get a soil analysis. Your county extension agent
should be able to help you.

"Mike" wrote in message news:Z4Iik.104$aA5.59@trnddc05...
Hi there,

Earlier this spring I planted some cucumber starts in a 6' by 3-foot plot
that apparently was overloaded with nitrogen.
After a few weeks in the sun they shriveled and died. I then dug out a "V"
section of the plot and replaced it with topsoil then
replanted some fresh starts. It looks like the new ones are starting to
burn
as well.

What can be done with this section?
Will I have to wait until the rain washes away the extra nitrogen before I
can plant anything?


I hope you didn't make a mistake our neighbor made one year by using a
fertilizer for lawns that contained a weed killer of some kind. It took
several plantings dying on them before it occurred to them to check the
bag........

"The Cook" wrote in message
...


First thing to do is get a soil analysis. Your county extension agent
should be able to help you.

Thanks, I'll check into that.
Most of the soil is heavy clay, so I dug out about 7 sections for the plots.
I've heard that Gypsum can be added to break up the clay. This soil had
enough clay that a block of it could be spun on a potter's wheel.

"Marie Dodge" wrote in message
...

I hope you didn't make a mistake our neighbor made one year by using a
fertilizer for lawns that contained a weed killer of some kind. It took
several plantings dying on them before it occurred to them to check the
bag........


I'm careful enough to keep the weed killer separate from the other garden
supplies.

The problem I'm sure was using ammonium phosphate via
http://www.johnchapman.com/
Apparently there was even more phosphate damage judging from the cracked
bark on the sunny side of the avocado tree. The melon section had too much
as well though it looks that the vines have become acclimated and have begun
to grow.

In article Sr3jk.151$wS4.52@trnddc03, "Mike" wrote:

"Marie Dodge" wrote in message
...

I hope you didn't make a mistake our neighbor made one year by using a
fertilizer for lawns that contained a weed killer of some kind. It took
several plantings dying on them before it occurred to them to check the
bag........


I'm careful enough to keep the weed killer separate from the other garden
supplies.

The problem I'm sure was using ammonium phosphate via
http://www.johnchapman.com/
Apparently there was even more phosphate damage judging from the cracked
bark on the sunny side of the avocado tree. The melon section had too much
as well though it looks that the vines have become acclimated and have begun
to grow.

(Sigh) Besides damaging your plants, the chem ferts are salts and
damage the flora and fauna of your soil. More over you are encouraging
the nitrogen consumers which will consume the organic content of your
soil leading to a loss of natural fertility (and increasing amounts of
purchased chemical fertilizers to maintain the soils present fertility)
and water retentiveness, which in turn encourages nitrates to run off
and join the local water table which which affects human health.

http://extension.missouri.edu/xplor/envqual/wq0103.htm

Human babies are extremely susceptible to acute nitrate poisoning
because of certain bacteria that may live in their digestive system
during the first few months of life. These bacteria change nitrate into
toxic nitrite (NO2). The nitrite reacts with hemoglobin (which carries
oxygen to all parts of the body) to form methemoglobin, which does not
carry oxygen. The level of oxygen being carried throughout the body
decreases in proportion to the amount of hemoglobin converted to
methemoglobin. As the oxygen level decreases, the baby is suffocated.
This condition is called methemoglobinemia.

The most obvious symptom of nitrate poisoning is a bluish color of the
skin, particularly around the eyes and mouth. This is called cyanosis. A
baby with these symptoms should be taken to an emergency medical
facility immediately. The doctor will take a blood sample to be sure the
baby is suffering from nitrate poisoning. The blood sample of an
affected baby is a chocolate brown instead of a healthy red. Nitrate
poisoning can be treated, and in most cases the baby makes a full
recovery. It is crucial, however, to deal with the problem immediately,
because without treatment a baby can die.

-----

What can I say? You and your petroleum based fertilizers are a menace to
the environment.
--

Billy
Bush and Pelosi Behind Bars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KVTf...ef=patrick.net
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0aEo...eature=related

"Billy" wrote in message
...
What can I say? You and your petroleum based fertilizers are a menace to
the environment.

We don't all have access to the huge amounts of FREE organic matter you get
delivered to your garden as needed. Tell us Americans how we can get the
same deal you enjoy. Unless quite financially comfortable, most of us
cannot afford tons of compost delivered to our gardens.

Get off your soapbox.

In article ,
"Marie Dodge" wrote:

"Billy" wrote in message
...
What can I say? You and your petroleum based fertilizers are a menace to
the environment.

We don't all have access to the huge amounts of FREE organic matter you get
delivered to your garden as needed. Tell us Americans how we can get the
same deal you enjoy. Unless quite financially comfortable, most of us
cannot afford tons of compost delivered to our gardens.

Get off your soapbox.

Green manure and up your's.
--

Billy
Bush and Pelosi Behind Bars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KVTf...ef=patrick.net
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0aEo...eature=related

Most of the adobe is abundant clay, so I dug out about 7 sections for the plots. I've heard that Gypsum can be added to breach up the clay. This adobe had enough adobe that a block of it could be spun on a potter's wheel.