Question
I added a large dose of horse manure and grape compost (from a local winery that also has horse stables)last winter. This spring, our vegetables are very stunted and yellowish. I live in San Jose, Ca. and my zip is 95127. Can you tell me the closest reliable place to have this soil tested? I'd like to know the best next step to correct our problem. Thanks much.

Answer
One of many reasons for aging Manure before use is that it gives you a chance to destroy any pathogens in the Manure before you put it on your plants or crops.  Sounds to me like you may have given yourself a major Nematodes problem, because you mentioned that the vegetables are stunted.  This is a real shame.  I can only imagine all the hard work that went into these crops, the time and the money that were spent on them, and the one thing that went wrong ... well, what's done is done.  These things, they happen.

It could of course be a simple nutrient management problem, which would be nice.  Much quicker and easier to correct.  But you're right, you do have to get a real live diagnosis from an expert.  If you do have a Nematodes problem, you are going to need to know what kind(s) you are dealing with so that you can get rid of them most efficiently, and effectively.

I do not know if any of your universities provides the kind of support you need to address this problem, but I can tell you who does:

Soil Foodweb Inc is the Rolls-Royce of Soil Testing and it is in Oregon, not California.  But I'm starting off with them because I know they run comprehensive tests for Nematodes and other organisms, 'good' and 'bad'.  Think of them as Plan B: 1128 NE 2nd Street, Ste 120, Corvallis, OR 97330 (541) 752-5066; contact: [email protected]; website: www.soilfoodweb.com.

Timberleaf Soil Testing, 39648 Old Spring Rd, Murrieta, CA 92563; (951) 677-7510; Contact: Bob or Valerie Russo.  Website:
www.timberleafsoiltesting.com.  Caters to small biointensive farms
Control Laboratories Inc., "located in the heartland of California agricultural community" at 42 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076; (831)724-5422; Contact: Frank Shields - [email protected].  Website: www.compostlab.com.

The Soil and Plant Lab, 352 Mathew St, Santa Clara, CA 95050-0153 (408) 727-0330 [email protected].  Website: www.soilandplantlaboratory.com.  This outfit's compost analysis includes bioassay growth trials with Radish and Ryegrass.  Ooffices in California, Washington State, and Oregon.

Wallace Labs, 365 Coral Circle, El Segundo, CA 90245 (310) 615-0116; Contact: Garn Wallace - [email protected].  Website: www.bettersoils.com.  Compost testing experts are notable for the books they have written over the years on this.

Finally, I want to include the ABC Organics Crop Research Foundation in Camarillo, CA 93011, because they are a reputable company that might serve your needs.  Unfortunately, at this writing, I cannot seem to confirm their website address, and I wonder if they have fallen victim to the economic downturn.  Pity.  For your records, in the event this is only a temporary sidetrack for them: (805) 675-8747.  Website: www.abcorganics.com.

Hope this is helpful.   Good luck - and please stay in touch.

L.I.G.