Brassicas on Sandy Soils

[BobinCt]

Anyone have sandy soils that get nice brassica plots? The farm I used to hunt had nice loam, but now I’m at a different place with sandy soil ( CEC 9.5 & PH 6.4). I know Paul Knox wrote brassicas don’t like sandy dry soil . If you do have sandy soil and grow brassicas, can you reveal your CEC if you know what it is. Thx

 

[Tree Spud]

What is CEC?

 

[BobinCt]

Cation exchange capacity. You get them in every soil sample.

 

[Mortenson]

9.5 isn't all that terrible. I would've figured sand was lower, so maybe that ground has some soil mixed in.

 

[Tree Spud]

Cation exchange capacity. You get them in every soil sample.

Thanks. I have sandy loam and have never done a soil test. What i see historically year to year, is that brassicas do well when I get them in early, good soil contact and low weed competition, and they are 1st year after prior legume plot.

You may want to spend more time 1st couple of years growing high OM type stuff (sudan grass, WR, etc.) to build up your OM to hold the nitrogen in the soil. You can always put clover in with the WR to get edibles green stuff for the deer.

 

[Crimson n' Camo]

Improving success in sandy soil is gonna revolve around increasing the % soil organic matter pretty much no matter what crop we're talking about.....unless maybe you're wanting to grow crabgrass.....

 

[Mortenson]

Or spoon feed your N. Side dressing will pay dividends. Get more for less.

 

[Tree Spud]

Improving success in sandy soil is gonna revolve around increasing the % soil organic matter pretty much no matter what crop we're talking about.....unless maybe you're wanting to grow crabgrass.....

Have converted about 25 acres of ag land to switch grass 3 years ago. Big deep root structure and lots of OM above the soil.

 

[BobinCt]

Thx guys for replies .