PressuredLeaf's 2021 desert grow

[PressuredLeaf]

Now that I'm back in AZ, I have the chance to do an in ground grow at a relatives house. Currently, I'm preparing the soil for spring time. In AZ our soils tend to be very alkaline (pH>8.5), salty, and very compacted. From a growing standpoint, its tough stuff to work with by itself, although with a real soil test and some TLC you can turn it into some pretty productive soils. A week ago I sent some soil off to a lab for analysis, it came back with high pH very high free lime, Mg:Ca ratio was too high and Zn was too low. For 1000ft^2 it recommended 3lbs of ammonium phosphate, 25lbs of gypsum, and 1.5 oz of Zinc sulfate. They did not recommend sulfur, but after doing an acid titration of my soil, I calculated the free lime to be around 6%, so I will be adding a lot of sulfur to my 500ft^2 garden over time (on the order of 400lbs). The sulfur should also help with the nutrient lock out. So, today I applied 20lbs of sulfur and 25lbs of gypsum to the raw land, I also got to try my new rear tine tiller. I was only able to do about half, but it was quite fun. I'll add the rest of the nutrients, give it a good soak, then plant some sort of cover crop. By spring time it should be ready to grow some tobacco.

I got my seeds from Skychaser and I plan on growing a least 5 of each variety:
1. Piloto Cubano
2. Corojo 99
3. CT broadleaf
4. Prilep
5. Yellow twist bud
6. Little Dutch


It's great to be back in the desert, and I'm looking forward to my first grow!

 

[deluxestogie]

I sent some soil off to a lab for analysis

Yay! So few home growers get their soil tested.

Bob

 

[PressuredLeaf]

Yay! So few home growers get their soil tested.

Bob

I've been putting it off for years, and just making assumptions. I finally realized spending $60 to get some exact numbers is much cheaper than the hundreds of dollars I have spent on various amendments in the past. Now that I know the exact problems, its going to be much easier to get the soil where I want it in a cost effective manor.

 

[deluxestogie]

In some states, their agricultural extension service will run the test for free. In many other states, the ag extension services will charge less than about $25.

Bob

 

[PressuredLeaf]

I decided I wasn’t happy with the measly 1/2yd of crappy store bought compost. So I ordered 8yds from the city of Phoenix ( mostly recycled green waste - a great source of much needed carbon.) The compost was watered in for about a week, after being inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi. Today I tilled the compost in and made the final rows. Can’t wait to get some tobacco planted!

 

[Iowalez]

Here in Iowa when you get a soil lab test, all they focus on telling you is what to apply for corn and beans. I'd like to test the gorgeous soil here at my new house but I'll have to find a lab in another state to get useful information!

 

[Knucklehead]

I decided I wasn’t happy with the measly 1/2yd of crappy store bought compost. So I ordered 8yds from the city of Phoenix ( mostly recycled green waste - a great source of much needed carbon.) The compost was watered in for about a week, after being inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi. Today I tilled the compost in and made the final rows. Can’t wait to get some tobacco planted!
View attachment 34576View attachment 34577

That looks much better. The plants are going to be happy.

 

[PressuredLeaf]

Here in Iowa when you get a soil lab test, all they focus on telling you is what to apply for corn and beans. I'd like to test the gorgeous soil here at my new house but I'll have to find a lab in another state to get useful information!

The Midwest has some of the richest soils in the world, I’m sure you could grow some excellent tobacco!

I planted my tobacco seeds today. It’s been a very warm winter so far, so I’m starting them outdoors. My rows are about 25 feet long so I’m going to shoot for ~12 plants of each variety:

Corojo 99
Connecticut broadleaf
Piloto Cubano
Yellow twist bud
Prilep

All from Skychaser.

I also put in my winter garden of Arugula, onions, peas, spinach, and mustard greens.

 

[deluxestogie]

Good luck. You will need soil temperatures of 60°F+ for adequate tobacco germination. (Germination tray heat mats can help.) Even a slight frost will kill tiny seedlings.

Bob

 

[Iowalez]

The Midwest has some of the richest soils in the world, I’m sure you could grow some excellent tobacco!

I planted my tobacco seeds today. It’s been a very warm winter so far, so I’m starting them outdoors. My rows are about 25 feet long so I’m going to shoot for ~12 plants of each variety:

Corojo 99
Connecticut broadleaf
Piloto Cubano
Yellow twist bud
Prilep

All from Skychaser.

I also put in my winter garden of Arugula, onions, peas, spinach, and mustard greens.

View attachment 34760View attachment 34761

You might consider building a cold frame to help your seedlings. You can rig one up with plastic, staples, screws, and some 2x4s in couple of hours. I used to have 2 big ones. Now I have 2 portable greenhouses I can start using in mid April, when the seedlings are about a month old.

 

[PressuredLeaf]

Good to know about the frost sensitivity. Fortunately, the highs in my area are in the 70s and the lows are in the mid 40s. If things change, I’ll probably move the seeds indoors under a grow light.My hope is to get them in the ground by mid February.

 

[deluxestogie]

Once they are in the ground, you are committed. Do check your average last frost date, then look at a 14 day weather forecast immediately prior to putting them in the ground.

Bob

 

[PressuredLeaf]

All my seedlings are doing well, I’ve just begun to thin them. In the meantime, I’ve got some reading to do!

 

[Biglizard1]

I believe I have seen that book near my reading chair.!

 

[PressuredLeaf]

Did some more thinning today, I have too many plants, but I can’t bring myself to throw any out
.

 

[PressuredLeaf]

Well, the threat of frost is over and my seedlings are getting root bound. So, today I planted my Prilep seedlings. I planted them a bit closer, roughly 8-10 inches apart.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

threat of frost is over

Am I the only person who doesn't believe you?

 

[deluxestogie]

Your "location" says DE. Are you in AZ now?

Bob

 

[PressuredLeaf]

Oh yeah, whoops. I now live in AZ, I should update my location. Frost is over here, but definitely not in Delaware.

 

[deluxestogie]

I should update my location.

Done.