5/4/2022 – Sowed 8 rows of peas and beans as listed below.
- Two rows of MS Purple Crowder Peas west of the tomatoes. N/24ft & 27.5ft
- Two rows of Kentucky Wonder Bush Beans next to the Purple Crowders. N/32ft & 35.5ft
- Four Rows of MS Silver Crowder Peas between the beans and the Squash/Cucumber row. N/39ft to N/53ft??
The seeds were sown 1″ deep in the top of a low hill pulled up on top of 1 pint (1 lb) of 0-0-60 spread between the tracks in each row. Sowed the peas with the HOSS seeder with plate 5 and Plate 6 for the beans.
From MSU Extension:
Fertilization: N is not required. Cowpea performs best on well-drained sandy loams or sandy soils where soil pH is in the range of 5.5 to 6.5. Excess nitrogen (N) promotes lush vegetative growth and delays maturity. A starter N rate of around 27 lb/acre is recommended for early plant development on low-N soils. A soil test is the best way to determine soil nutrient levels. At least 27 lb P/acre and 40 lb K/acre are recommended on soils of medium fertility but individual soils will vary in fertilizer requirements. Band fertilizer 3 to 4 inches deep and 2 to 3 inches away from the seed.
Based on advice here and here Boron was not added.
Application and the Plan
Nitrogen – 27 lb/acre = 0.056 lbs per 60 ft. row in a 18-inch wide ban. As a pint is about a pound of fertilizer and 0.056 is about 1/20th of a pound, apply 1/20th of a pint or about 2 tbsp per row. 37.2367102 dry tablespoons in one pint. So, that is so small that it is negligible and none will be applied.
Phosphorus is typically high here and it was at the last soil test. None to be applied.
Potassium at 40 lb/ac = 0.083 lbs per 60-ft row in an 18-inch wide ban. 0.83 = 15% of a pint of fertilizer that is pure potassium. But it is actually 60% pure so 15% + .60×15 = 25% of a pint. Scatter about a pint per row as most will leach away with the usual rains.