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Taber, Alberta

My soil test from my farm patch came back with a ph of 8.5 This differed from my home patch which was 7.6, and only 2 miles apart. I did some checking and found out the town water is at a ph of 7 to 7.2, while the irrigation canal water, which is used at the farm, ranges from 8.4 to 9.1 Will any amendments I make in the soil (aluminum sulfate and peat moss, along with loads of manure) be wiped out in the summer by the high ph water?
Thanks
Alan

10/5/2004 12:46:40 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

This depends on the buffer capacity of the soil. Most likely, the amendments you add will help further buffer the soil against change. I would still check with the area growers who currently use that irrigation canal water. You might find they apply additional lime to compensate depending on the local soils.

10/5/2004 11:53:35 AM

Taber, Alberta

Would the buffer capacity be the buffer ph? The lab was supposed to test for it, but didn't. What numbers would be good for my situation?
I must be missing something. Doesn't lime increase the ph?
I talked one of the farmers close by and he says they rarely put in lime as most of the soil in our area is between 7.5 and 8.5
Thanks for the reply,
Alan

10/5/2004 4:28:12 PM

Utah

Alan,
you are right... what you are looking for is Sulfur or some kind of sulfate, as stated in your 1st post,... not lime.
I have a similar situation. my pH is 7.8. my buffer is 7.4 ... I asked the guy at the lab how much sulfur I would have to add to lower it to 7.0 ... he said it would be some huge amount...i don't remember the figure but it was large... and that it would creep back up to 7.5-7.8 because of the water I use.
I'm no expert so maybe others can explain it better... I would say that to you... just do the best you can with what you have...

10/5/2004 5:30:45 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Sorry Alan.

You are correct. Sulfur or Peat based materials to knock the pH DOWN. Your water (if it imapcts the pH at all) will raise pH.

My bad.

10/5/2004 6:50:52 PM