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Soil Prep
MudderChuck
Member Posts: 4,105
My well has some pretty hard water, so my garden always ends up base. The lime deposits build up so you can see white on the peaks of worked soil. Any idea what I can add to help the balance some?
Comments
We use a North Star Water Softener. Uses salt for removal.
The salt doesn't remove it, it just keeps it in suspension so it doesn't build up. Adding salt to my garden doesn't seem like a good idea. That thought did cross my mind also though.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
First, TEST the soil (don't guess) for pH- how acid or how alkaline? If excessively alkaline, you can add fertilizer,compost or sulfur to lower the pH.
Coffee grounds, I dump them in the compost and mix with the soil.
Pine Needles, these are free and will boost the acidity but they are slow.
spaghnum peat, this will also aerate the soil as it breaks down
agricultural sulfur
ammonium sulfate
Get the soil tested 1st.
I have a similar problem and I try to use rain water as much as I can. I have 4 50gal catch barrels.
To make your garden more acidic you can add:
Coffee grounds, I dump them in the compost and mix with the soil.
Pine Needles, these are free and will boost the acidity but they are slow.
spaghnum peat, this will also aerate the soil as it breaks down
agricultural sulfur
ammonium sulfate
Get the soil tested 1st.
I have a similar problem and I try to use rain water as much as I can. I have 4 50gal catch barrels.
Thanks guys for giving me some direction, I was kind of at a loss, brain lock.
Some rain barrels to replace those that split last winter (for my potted plants) and a soil tester are on my shopping list.
I didn't now that about Coffee grounds, good tip thanks.
I'm planning on Zucchini, Squash and Beans this year, with some Maters and Peppers in containers.
Next thing I have to do is find something for white fungus and plant lice on my Apple Trees, that won't poison the dogs or the Bees.
We use a vinegar mix. Do a search on it. Works good here.
Forget the cheap soil testers and go with a free one or let someone test it for you. Do a search on the so called testers NOT
I've heard those cheap soil testers aren't too accurate. If you really want to know, best route is the Ag office.