Do you know what is in your soils?

tallyho!

tallyho!

Following a strict mediterranean diet...
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I've gone off on one about alfalfa recently, but learned a few things more about it I didn't know... I noticed some people know what their soil/land contains. Apart from using forage analyses, from which I know Mg & Cu is rather lacking, do you know what your land is rich/poor in?

I guess farmers must know as they know how much fertilizer to spread (beef/dairy/grain) for max yields. I guess gardeners are interested too. It varies regionally so I just wondered if you knew what kind of earth you have? It's not something I have looked into in great depth before.

I've decided to look at a geology map to help and I have discovered the land around me is high in calcium! (Oolite) So there I was going off on one about calcium and I have it right beneath my feet. Anyway, sorry if you already know what your land is made up of, I suppose it was obvious, but if it helps, here is a geology map:

http://www.soton.ac.uk/~imw/jpg-Geological-Maps/8GB-Old-Map-British-Isles.jpg
 
I don't have a clue about my soils! Just had a look on your map and don't even know where I live on there! I think its in a (10) yellow bit though (Leeds, Yorkshire) and thats Triassic.. What does that mean?!? Lol..
 
I think you do need to have your soil analysed if you want an accurate soil profile. There are so many variations in soil even from field to field. If fertilizers are used the profile can change dramatically. I recently read that nitrogen (in ferts) depletes copper...

Very interesting though. :)
 
Yes. I have very high iron and very high manganese, both of which prevent copper absorption, so I supplement copper.
 
amandap said:
I think you do need to have your soil analysed if you want an accurate soil profile. There are so many variations in soil even from field to field. If fertilizers are used the profile can change dramatically. I recently read that nitrogen (in ferts) depletes copper...

Very interesting though. :)
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Interesting point AmandaP I think that the title is slightly the wrong one, it's what grows on it that needs analysing because some plants take up more of one mineral than another plant will.

I also think that if you are going that far you should really have your water analysed too, especially if you are on a borehole/spring supply because the water supply here is very heavy in iron and manganese.
 
you really need to get your fields soil analysed as the soil can vary across the field let alone from field to field. Underlying geology will give an idea of what soil type is but it will also depend on lots of other things. I work for the EA.
 
Yep, agree with you amandap! I'm about to get a new batch of hay tested and this is what sparked off my calcium obsession lol!!

I know many factors play a part but I just wanted to know what other influences there are on forage...

The soil here is fertilised annually which suggests to me that the additives leach out leaving "unfavourable" grass for fattening up cows :D. The leys that are left un-fertilised, some the horses use need testing IMO. So will get on with it...

No idea about triassic - all I could find is that it is acidic...

Lias - apparently rich in Molybdenum - lead!!! Somerset was a huge producer of lead so say.
 
cptrayes said:
Interesting point AmandaP I think that the title is slightly the wrong one, it's what grows on it that needs analysing because some plants take up more of one mineral than another plant will.

I also think that if you are going that far you should really have your water analysed too, especially if you are on a borehole/spring supply because the water supply here is very heavy in iron and manganese.
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LOL - this could well turn into another obsession - hooves being one of them!! I need help!!!!:cool:
 
cptrayes said:
I think that the title is slightly the wrong one, it's what grows on it that needs analysing because some plants take up more of one mineral than another plant will.

I also think that if you are going that far you should really have your water analysed too, especially if you are on a borehole/spring supply because the water supply here is very heavy in iron and manganese.
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Yes, the forage/grass needs analysing as that's what is eaten and available to the horse.

I've wrestled with the soil question for a long time. Do I leave it alone or nurture it? Given that it takes 50 years plus for flora and soil to naturalize, this route wasn't going to benefit my horses. My grass is/was very acidic and was not good for hooves. I have limed and spread manure so far.
The water is a very pertinent question for me. I recently started collecting rain water for drinking following huge water bills after along period of hay soaking for all six of mine. The change in one horse has been very noticeable, especially her droppings which are now completely normal. This is the first time since I moved here despite hay soaking trying pink powder, yea sac, charcoal etc. etc.
A kind person asked if my water was fluoridated, I checked and it is! That particular horse is obviously very sensitive to this chemical, as am I incidentally. I am looking forward to see if there are any affects on hooves since the gut irritation is reduced..

Back to topic, the point of testing soil is to correct ph and provide good growing medium for grass in the hope of reducing stress induced high sugar levels. However, I am beginning to read of some adverse effects on minerals using some chemical fertilizers. Testing soil does allow you to use the correct fertilizer though as opposed to the high nitrogen ones slapped on grass when it is very often not needed, especially if it has been put on year after year.
I do think better soil management is probably important for hay fields.

ps. I think human activity and farming had changed soils a great deal from those that naturally occurred from the basic underlying rocks and sub soils.
 
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How fascinating on your water supply change - of course the water off your roof is uncontaminated by rocks/fertilisers or anything else - and as a bonus, it's free too :D
 
That is absolutely brilliant criso! Thank you for sharing that - it is very accurate too - impeded drainage most definitely!

I am finding all of this very interesting. Thanks so much guys :)
 
Clava said:
Interesting thank you, I'm on free draining lime rich loamy soil.
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I've moved recently from that to a less fertile but more clayey soil.

Just had my new mineral analysis through and both are low in crucial nutrients and high in manganese but the main thing is I have gone from calcium being off the scale to having to add a bit.
 
criso said:
Here's a slightly more detailed map of soil types

http://www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes/

You can put in your postcode and it shows quite well how soils can really vary in a small area.
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Brilliant link, ta muchly.

I was just considering whether to get a soil analysis done, but in all reality having looked at that excellent webiste, and seeing what grows in the fields and how they fair in the wet weather, i already knew that i was on a sandy, loamy, acidy soil.

I'm looking to use a calcified seaweed this spring to improve the acidity levels and cut back on the number of buttercups that florish in May!!!
 
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