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Mon, Apr 11, 11 at 19:51
| I was outside today transplanting some perennials in one of my beds. As I dug out a few nice holes for the plants I noticed a putrid smell coming from the ground. Kind of like sour milk. What may be causing this? I know the area is like a clay loam and is quite wet in spring, but dries well during summer. I have been trying to add oraganics to the top every year in fall: Pine mulch, mostly shredded oak leaves, compost (just started that last year so just that once until fall now).
What can I do to help the soil if it's anaerobic? I can't add the compost till fall now. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| So wet that it's anaerobic. Don't plant there until the smell is gone. |
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| Excess water in soil displaces air in soil and the aerobic bacteria need air to function. Anaerobic bacteria, those present and working in soils without sufficient air, produce odors that smell offensive, putrid, to us and are on indication of a soil related problem. Soils that are water saturated like yours are not workable. |
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- Posted by dchall_san_antonio 8 San Antonio (My Page) on Tue, Apr 12, 11 at 19:48
| You need to get that opened up so it can breathe. You might be able to spray soap to open it up. I suggest 2 ounces of baby shampoo per 1,000 square feet. Then irrigate and wait a couple weeks to redo it. You can water weekly but not daily. If you want to experiment, try spraying with molasses at the same rate. |
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