tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post7947237173752632817..comments2024-03-28T14:37:45.575-04:00Comments on 5 Acres & A Dream: New Book For The Homestead LibraryLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-50944046780768210922012-04-28T23:34:40.079-04:002012-04-28T23:34:40.079-04:00Exciting stuff! I've been fumbling along tryin...Exciting stuff! I've been fumbling along trying to meet these objectives. This sounds like an amazing resource. I can't wait to hear more. :-)Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16852320721216631639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-28607473351655221912012-04-28T05:56:32.558-04:002012-04-28T05:56:32.558-04:00Susan, the results take awhile to get back because...Susan, the results take awhile to get back because these are not a generic computer generated response, but a human calculating what's needed according to one's goals. The choices for results are conventional or organic. Finding the natural organic additives is another challenge!<br /><br />Connie, gardens can keep us busy! I'm anxious and curious for the test results. I'll let you know!<br /><br />Rosalyn, one thing Neal says in his book is that he's never found "perfect" soil. The right nutrients can really make a difference though. <br /><br />Jody, agreed. This book explains why the balance is important. Excessive minerals tie one another up if not in balance. It all boils down to having the soil tested. One clue I'm picking up on (for me) is that my state lab tests say my soil is higher in magnesium than calcium. Yet they still recommend dolomite as an additive for pH. From what I'm reading, these types of soils need lime rather than dolomite, because dolomite contains more magnesium. If I add dolomite to my soil, I may lower the pH, but I won't correct the calcium / magnesium imbalance. Lime has no magnesium, so it would do the trick. <br /><br />Jaime, isn't it!<br /><br />Amy, there's way too much to learn! Reading this book makes my head spin, but OTOH, I don't need to know how much nitrogen to add for growing corn in Illinois, like in some of his examples. Still, I'm getting the gist of what he's talking about. <br /><br />Doug, I think that's how a good marriage works! Dan and I are the same in different areas. With our remodeling, I can see how the pieces fit together to make the whole we want, while he understands the structure and mechanics needed to get there. Makes for good teamanship. :)Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-22019889841702291252012-04-27T22:49:26.683-04:002012-04-27T22:49:26.683-04:00I'm lucky my wife is a zoology and chemistry m...I'm lucky my wife is a zoology and chemistry major. Whenever I need someone smart that understands these types of books I have her read it and give me the cliff notes. <br /><br />Whenever she needs help when her debits don't equal her credits, I'm her guy. (not too practical I know.)Doug Pitcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00561267399443561604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-26340321200375993502012-04-27T22:37:36.699-04:002012-04-27T22:37:36.699-04:00Sounds like a very interesting and helpful book. T...Sounds like a very interesting and helpful book. There is so much to learn about soil, and now that we are the new farm, I think we have a lot of research and work to do as far as figuring out where we are and what we need as far as the soil is concerned. Let us know what you think of the book! I'm glad to know it is written for the layman...I would probably STILL have to read it three times to understand it!Amy Dingmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955555538158746355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-44883678253487557912012-04-27T21:54:55.345-04:002012-04-27T21:54:55.345-04:00Very cool! :)
-JaimeVery cool! :) <br />-JaimeNgo Family Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15484243776589015749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-85247392498401668542012-04-27T21:24:44.081-04:002012-04-27T21:24:44.081-04:00This is the first year we have begun considering t...This is the first year we have begun considering the importance of minerals. We amended the garden with azomite, a trace mineral suppliment mined in Utah. <br /><br />I have to say "balance" sounds a bit daunting. We're not shy about adding amendments, but we have no idea how to balance them. Does the book your reading offer help toward striking the right balance of things?Jodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05442310215979259623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-25613939869114322032012-04-27T20:49:26.239-04:002012-04-27T20:49:26.239-04:00Sounds like an interesting book, I'll have to ...Sounds like an interesting book, I'll have to have a look for it around here! Since we're just starting the community garden and not sure of what the soil will be like, I definitely want to make sure we feed the soil, and well.Rosalynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07594397183233004323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-27834935072389334412012-04-27T19:28:45.697-04:002012-04-27T19:28:45.697-04:00I so would love to be able to work in my garden bu...I so would love to be able to work in my garden but have not had time. Will be interesting to see how the test kit works out for you.<br />ConnieC and C Antiques and Animals - What a Life!https://www.blogger.com/profile/16313586658439234080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-83971220115642692692012-04-27T15:25:55.192-04:002012-04-27T15:25:55.192-04:00I'll be interested to read your review - and t...I'll be interested to read your review - and the results of your soil test. I have yet to test mine, but I add organic matter every year and have been forced into raised beds by the underlying gravel bed that runs through the entire area. But there are areas that I would like to seed with pasture grasses, so I will have to get them tested prior to sowing.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12573143203599624833noreply@blogger.com