Allotments 4 All

Have done a soil test today and discovered ph 8.
Have just read Joy Larkon on alkaline soils and now feel a bit depressed - does anyone have any advice?

thanks,
sarah

that means it is a shade alkaline. Neutral is 7.0

Nothing to get upset about, if you must, then it may be adjusted towards acid.

I would suggest adding some compost, farmyard manure, or peat based compost.

I am sure you will received other more valuable suggestions!

Hi Sarah!
Just keep on bunging manure in - the more the merrier, as it offsets the alkalinity. You really need it on raspberries or they don't last very long.

My plot's about 7, which I can only assume is because the previous tenant covered it with manure regularly.  You're further up on the ridge too, which is where the chalk's nearer the surface. Chris (plot next to me) has one further up and she notices the difference.  Potatoes will always have scab so no point in worrying about it.

I remember Alan T in the first episode of HTBAG.  Remedy for all problem soils - add tons of organic material. And don't worry about it.  I've been up there 4 years now and haven't found much that won't grow.  If you only get half the crop you want - plant twice as much!

moonbells

OK  - feeling better about it today.
We have bunged in a lot of manure - so that should help - about 3 loads since last March. We haven't got the actual chalk seam on our plots - think that starts 2 plots up. At least alkaline is meant to be good for asparagus - so that's some comfort.
Would seem that seaweed is a good remedy for all sorts of problems with soil - so will get some.
But I was really hoping for scab-free spuds,  :'(
Nevermind then...

PS- MB - you going on thursday?
Thanks,
Sarah.

Sarah, I don't know if this would help but I add sulphur chips to the soil around my blueberry plants, it's meant to make the soil more acid.

For speed - Sulphate of Ammonia - at the recommended rate.

Potatoes are the most likely crop to care.

So Tim, I can just sprinlke that ontop of the potato bed and it might go someway towards solving the scab situation?
Sarah.

Quote from: Derekthefox on April 05, 2005, 22:24:01
that means it is a shade alkaline. Neutral is 7.0

i thought 6 or 6.5 was neutral. I have chalky soil which comes in at around 7 - chalk is definetly NOT pH neutral!

Cant offer much advice on reducing a high pH, except to add lots of organic matter (but not mushroom compost which is alkaline).

And every point on the ph scale means 10x more acid/alkaline that the previous one.
Example: ph 7.5 is 10x more alkaline that ph 6.5.
Methinks 10x will make a big difference.
Was reading all sorts of depressing things about worms not coping in alkaline soils and all nutrients being locked up...

sb

 ;D Take it from an ex-chemistry student - pH 7 is neutral. The scale runs from 1 (v. acidic) to 14 (v. alkaline)

Whoops scale starts at 0  :P

Useful table?

pH   Conc.H+    Example   
0    10,000,000    Battery acid Most acidic
1    1,000,000    Hydrochloric acid   
2    100,000       Lemon juice   
3    10,000       Orange juice   
4    1,000       Acid rain   
5    100       Black coffee   
6    10       Saliva   
7    1       Distilled water Neutral
8    0.1       Salt water   
9    0.01       Baking soda   
10    0.001       Milk of magnesia   
11    0.0001       Ammonia solution   
12    0.00001       Soapy water   
13    0.000001    Oven cleaner   
14    0.0000001    Liquid drain cleaner Most alkaline

Although it sounds high only the truer acid lovers will probably have problems. Lots of organic matter (woodland based is ideal as it generates acid) should fix the problem.

Bodolph

Quote from: Bodolph on April 06, 2005, 11:08:51
;D Take it from an ex-chemistry student - pH 7 is neutral. The scale runs from 1 (v. acidic) to 14 (v. alkaline)

Hmm I stand corrected. Perhaps my soil isnt as alkaline after all. At least in places anyway.

I shall have to do some tests. Ive got a little gadget for doing that now, and while its not that precise, it should give some idea. 

Thanks Bodolph :) . Very interesting.

Quote from: Sarah-b on April 06, 2005, 09:17:01
<snip>
PS- MB - you going on thursday?

Yes. There's a social tonight too for the Hort Soc. If you're not a member that's where you join. Costs a quid!

Will pm the details...

moonbells

Raised beds Sarah.  You dictate the pH levels then and can grow what you like, where you like while you work on bringing the levels down using some of the methods described on the rest of your plot.  Good luck.  Lance