SOIL TEST INFORMATION SHEET NO. V-340

Prepared by Extension Horticulturists Mike Cannon and James Boudreaux

Greens (Mustard, Turnips, Spinach, Parsley, Kale and Collards)

1.	Greens are sensitive to strongly acid soils.  soils with a pH below 6.0  should be limed with agricultural limestone well ahead of planting.  If magnesium is low, apply dolomitic limestone.  Apply lime 2-6 months before planting.  Spinach is more sensitive to low pH soils than other greens.  Spinach should be grown on soils with a pH of 6.0-6.8.

2.	Apply about half the nitrogen (30-40 lbs.\acre) and all the phosphorus and potassium prior to planting.

3.	Sidedress greens with 30 to 40 pounds nitrogen per acre when greens are 4 to 6 inches tall, 3 to 4 weeks after planting.  Use higher rates of fertilizer on double drill greens.

4.	Boron deficiency is common in turnip roots and all greens when grown on soils with a pH below 5.5.  Boron deficiency is turnip is expressed as brown rings inside the root.  Boron deficiency can be prevented by applying 3 pounds of actual boron per acre with preplant fertilizer.  Apply 10-25 pounds of borax per acre or 5-12 pounds of Solubor per acre with preplant fertilizer.  Foliar applications of borax (2-5 pounds per 100 gals.)  or solubur (1 to 1 1\2 lbs.\100 gals.)  can be used.  Always apply foliar treatments in the early morning hours to the underside of young rapidly growing plants for best results.  Generally 2 or 3 applications 7 to 10 days apart are sufficient to avoid boron deficiency.

5.	Greens grown on fields following other vegetable crops need only a nitrogen sidedressing.

6.	Contact your county agent for additional information and help in your fertilization program.  The agent also receives a copy of this report for the parish office files.