Phosphorous came out very low in our soil samples.  We had an average of 5ppm where 20ppm are recommended for most vegetable crops.  In the future we would like to have chickens on rotation in the fields since they have high P content in their manure, not possible this year so the rock phosphate will do the job.  It is organic approved but we are weary because it comes from a mine, has traveled, and came packaged because we do not yet have the means to transport amendments in bulk  (we have our eye on this truck , perhaps once we make a couple dollars).  Many studies have shown that there are up to 40% lower yield with P deficiencies so we figured it would be worth it and bought 1 ton.

It was cold, -20˚C, but we decided to apply it now since we will certainly be busy in the spring and once the snow melts it will start reacting right away.  We used our Earthway broadcast spreader, it was fun!  We added a little bit of bloodmeal to the rock phosphate so it would attract organisms that help to break down the phosphate to plant available forms.  Whether it will be around next spring I am uncertain since a significant amount of N volatilizes over the winter and made a mess of our outfits.   Tomorrow we are moving into our rental cabin which is 3km from one of the pieces of land with 1 acre and 6km from the 4 acres at the Tschopps up the Pemberton Meadows... Very exciting!  Happy New Year~