Soil Test????????
10-24-2014, 10:22 PM
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 349
Soil Test????????
I was wondering how accurate and if people use the USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey Map instead of sending in soil to be tested? Would this website give me accurate enough soil data to fertilize, lime and seed for a food plot?
http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/a...oilSurvey.aspx
http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/a...oilSurvey.aspx
10-25-2014, 03:41 AM
#2
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MN
Posts: 342
The soil survey is not as accurate as a soil test, and can give some large ranges in values. It also can not show what past management (lime, crop grown, fertilizer, manure, etc.) has done to improve or degrade the soil. A basic soil test costs around $10-$15 (don't pay extra for a food plot test) and gives you a lot of good information.
02-24-2015, 11:55 AM
#4
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 349
Going to have a soil test done and start at least a 1 acre food plot for blacktail deer this year. One other spot that is 1/2 acre plus a couple of old short roads that may be able to turn into food plots as well. Need to eliminate the blackberries that have taken over first.
02-24-2015, 11:59 AM
#5
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 349
Here is some of the info I got from the NRCS website. Still need to get soil test done.
Suver silty clay loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)- 0 Rating(Percent)
Cation-Exchange Capacity (CEC-7) Rating (milliequivalents per 100 grams)- 15.0
Organic Matter- Rating (percent)- 3.50
Percent Clay- Rating (percent) 31.0
Percent Sand- Rating (percent) 18.1
Percent silt- Rating (percent) 50.9
Drainage Class- Somewhat poorly drained
pH Rating 5.6
Elevation: 280 to 800 feet
Mean annual precipitation: 40 to 60 inches
Mean annual air temperature: 52 to 54 degrees F
Frost-free period: 165 to 210 days
H1 - 0 to 11 inches: silty clay loam
H2 - 11 to 42 inches: clay
H3 - 42 to 52 inches: weathered bedrock
Suver silty clay loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)- 0 Rating(Percent)
Cation-Exchange Capacity (CEC-7) Rating (milliequivalents per 100 grams)- 15.0
Organic Matter- Rating (percent)- 3.50
Percent Clay- Rating (percent) 31.0
Percent Sand- Rating (percent) 18.1
Percent silt- Rating (percent) 50.9
Drainage Class- Somewhat poorly drained
pH Rating 5.6
Elevation: 280 to 800 feet
Mean annual precipitation: 40 to 60 inches
Mean annual air temperature: 52 to 54 degrees F
Frost-free period: 165 to 210 days
H1 - 0 to 11 inches: silty clay loam
H2 - 11 to 42 inches: clay
H3 - 42 to 52 inches: weathered bedrock
02-24-2015, 12:03 PM
#6
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 349
I'm thinking to look into Soybeans, Brassicas, Chicory, Winter Peas, Winter Oats. Surrounding fields are planted in Fescue. Not sure what the best mix would be for the plot.
The blackberries will be mowed mid-summer. Wait till they grow back to around 18inches and then spray. Wait 10 days to clear dead blackberries and till. Then lime, fertilize, and seed.
The blackberries will be mowed mid-summer. Wait till they grow back to around 18inches and then spray. Wait 10 days to clear dead blackberries and till. Then lime, fertilize, and seed.
