|
Thu, Feb 21, 13 at 13:47
| I excitedly received the results of my first-ever soil test only to discover that 3/5 spots of my roughly 650-700 sq. ft garden is a pH of 4.4-4.8. The other two spots are pH 5.5 and 7.5. I know I need to apply lime to the acidic spots pronto, but I'm also planning on sheet mulching with cardboard, manure, shredded leaves, compost, and topsoil. Is the sheet mulch going to further acidify the soil? Is there any hope for what I plan to plant this spring/summer? I've got some greens (brassicas and lettuce) and herbs (chives, dill, and cilantro) started since it's February, but I also just ordered a bunch of seeds for summer. Should I just give them all to my family and get a bunch of blueberry bushes? I'm a novice. HELP. |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| Blueberries thrive in acidic soil, pH around 4.5, with full sun, and consistent moisture. Do you live downwind of a volcano? Do you have neighbors, and if so, what sort of vegetables do they grow? If you have hard water, then watering will tend to raise the pH of the soil. What is growing in your yard as we speak? |
|
- Posted by canyoudigit none (My Page) on Thu, Feb 21, 13 at 14:10
| I know blueberries will do well in most of that soil, but I REALLY want a nice little kitchen garden, although I wouldn't mind a nice blueberry bush. In a sense I do live in a caldera, at least in the summer (central AR summers are miserably hot and humid). My neighbors across the street are the only ones I've noticed who grow a garden, and theirs is primarily of ornamentals (roses, etc). The current naturally growing plants ("weeds" in laymen) are mostly clover and a bamboo screen that is very well established. I've read that bamboo thrives in acidic soil, and I suppose this explains why. Is it making it more acidic? Can I sheet mulch and just hope for the best? I really want to do a Three Sisters patch and grow lots of tomatoes. I've also read that wood ash can help increase soil pH. What are the most effective methods of applying these? |
|
| There are several extinct volcanoes in Texas, and your soil may be based on volcanic ash from that source. Your acid soil is likely to be many feet deep, so there are two issues: 1-raising soil pH so you can garden and 2-keeping the garden soil from reverting to acid pH. Wood ashes will raise soil pH, but agricultural lime is the method generally used. Most garden plants do best at pH = 6.5. I can't say exactly how much lime to put down-my experience is with using sulfur to lower the pH of our alkaline soil, exactly the opposite problem. |
|
| What was used to do that soil test? If done by a reputable soil testing lab there should have been recommendations on how to raise your soils pH to do what you want to do. Wood Ash can raise your soils pH quickly and for the short term, but for long term change you will need lime, either calcitic or dolomitic depending on what your soil needs. Adding adequate amounts of organic matter may well buffer your soil enough so the pH is of little concern, but that is still a months away process. |
|
- Posted by canyoudigit none (My Page) on Fri, Feb 22, 13 at 10:59
| I used the cooperative extension office for my soil test. They didn't specify which type of lime to use, only to use 92 lbs/1000 sq ft (or 69 for the section that is in the pH 5-5.5 range). When I apply the lime or the wood ash, does it need to be diluted in water? Should I agitate the topsoil? |
|
- Posted by toxcrusadr 5 (My Page) on Fri, Feb 22, 13 at 11:11
| You should mix it into the topsoil before mulching. Did you test for Ca and Mg? If so what were the numbers? That will help determine what kind of lime to use. If you have wood ash available, you can use it but it's much stronger and faster acting than lime. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Soil Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.