Did amending soil for pumpkins actually do anything? 

Hey guys, I am slightly nervous about the results from the soil tests, but I guess we'll see this summer if everything turns out good. Thanks for watching. I appreciate it.

Even if I didn’t know much about farm work, I think you put alot of thoughts into your video, appreciate it very much. Hope I can see some good healthy pumpkins from you soon 😊

Jon, that soil looks incredible! Great tilth-nice and crumbly. You’ve come a long way with your amendments. As far as the PH…you might consider getting a laboratory soil test. I watched a video right after yours..from Hoss Tools. They had a soil scientist explaining soil tests. She said that the home tests usually register a higher (alkaline) reading because most people’s drinking water is alkaline. At the lab, the first thing they do is dry the sample completely, and the tests they do are very accurate.

I’ve been researching and found that adding peat moss lowers PH as well and it helps with the clay soil issue too

I’ve noticed the beds that I’ve added manure to are higher in PH as well. I’m adding sulpher this week even tho it will take a few months to make an actual change

The soil looks pretty loose. You have me very curious about the soil test. We have never done one here.

About the pig manure potentially raising your PH…here’s my theory-adding organic matter in general should tend to push anyone’s soil towards neutral. Everything in nature is supposed to compost towards neutral. I sent a soil test in last week. My original test I did on my soil was from 2018-and the PH was 6.6. I’ve been adding organic matter since then, and if my theory is true I should see a slight raising of my PH on the new test. I’ll let you know when I get the results. In your case, you already have alkaline soil, and the manure seems to be raising it. Have you done your home test on just the manure? You could send it to the lab for analysis…

you need to account for everything you put into and/or on the soil - really everything including the hay or whatever that's on top of the soil in the video background and all else you put down. you certainly did a good job breaking up the soil but all that manure can be too much - manures are usually packed with N, P, and K and sooner or later that will become a problem. balance you see. soil tests are not all the same. you need to know what your soil test kit is testing. more precisely, what is it showing? is it showing what is immediately available, then those very high numbers, including for nitrogen could become bad news. in the end, you judge by your results - healthy or unhealthy plants - taste and smell is a good test. are your practices guided by the soil test? if you can afford a Logan Lab report with recommendations, i can just about assure you your garden will grow real nutrition if you follow the recommendations...blessings to all