The “Comments” listed in the RECOMMENDATIONS section refer to items on the second page of the Soil Test Reports we have been working through (titled “Comments”), as well as to items in a separate document we have already referred to: Notes for Horticultural, Turf, and Wild Rice Crops (.doc). Items on the Comments page are numbered 1-25 and items on the Notes pages are numbered 50-65. These Comments and Notes provide explanatory information that will help you apply fertilizer and lime effectively and efficiently. Be sure to read through the listed Comments and Notes and apply the ones that are appropriate to your situation.
As discussed above, Comment and Note numbers 3, 18, 24, 50, 53, and 64 are specified in the Grapes Report. Items 3, 18, and 24 are on the Comments page and items 50, 53 and 64 are on the Notes pages. Comments 3 and 24 discuss liming. Number 3 tells you that it takes 6-12 months for lime to react with the soil and raise pH to the desired level. Number 24 tells you how to calculate the actual amount of lime to apply in terms of the lime recommendation that is given in ENP units. Comment 18 gives information on subtracting the nutrients contained in manure applications from fertilizer recommendations. On the Notes pages, Number 50 talks about split-applications of nitrogen on coarse textured soils to prevent nitrate leaching. The reported soil texture was medium, but comment 50 is listed on all fruit and vegetable reports in case the soil is somewhat sandy or drains readily. Several smaller nitrogen applications rather than a single large one will protect groundwater quality on sandy soils. Number 53 tells you to sidedress fertilizer in the spring for established perennial plantings and to avoid winter damage by not applying nitrogen after June 30. Because this sample was tested for calcium, number 64 is listed and provides information on maintaining soil calcium levels and dealing with physiological calcium disorders that affect some crops.
Comment numbers 4, 5, and 18 are specified in the Vegetables Report for Sweet Corn and Comment 18 and Notes 50 and 57 are listed for both Cabbage and Tomatoes. Numbers 18 and 50 were described above for Grapes. Numbers 4 and 5 for Sweet Corn discuss the situation in which low broadcast rates of only phosphate or potash are recommended and the option of doubling the rate and broadcasting in alternate years is suggested as a practical application alternative. Number 57 for Cabbage and Tomatoes recommends applying a starter solution high in phosphorus for vegetable transplants. More information on starter solutions can be found at the end of the “Phosphorus” discussion in the Primary Macronutrients section of the University of Minnesota Extension bulletin Nutrient Management for Commercial Fruit & Vegetable Crops in Minnesota.