Question
Am in SE Tennessee. I've been veggie gardening in raised beds for over two years. Have rich compost piles to which I meticulously attend and add to my beds as needed. Recently got a County Extension Service soil test done (first time ever) and it says my PH is 6.1, needs no lime, and recommends using amonium nitrate prior to planting. It is mid January as I write, and I plan to have spring veggies planted in early April. Question: should I go ahead and apply the ammonium nitrate now during my initial tilling, or wait? If you recommend I wait, how long to wait? (We're having about an inch of rain per week; I'm assuming that figures in.)

Answer
Ammonium nitrate is dissolved immediately and tends to leach with rain so wait until you do your tilling. In fact, if you use compost liberally, I would actually recommend that you wait to fertilize until you have planted. I supposed the county extension agent is advising ammonium nitrate (source of nitrogen) because your soil is adequate in phosphorous, potassium and minors (probably from your compost soil amendment) but even so, I actually recommend using a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10, or 20-20-20 when fertilizing veggies, instead of just nitrogen (such as ammonium nitrate).

If you want to use ammonium nitrate, then add same when tilling in spring. Otherwise, wait until the start of your normal fertilizer regime, and then use a balanced (10-10-10) fertilizer.

Keep composting, it is great for the crops.