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Hampshire, UK

Well as a bit of a newbie round here I have done the sensible thing and got a soil test done. Thought I would do it early for next year as I suspected there might be a bit of work to be done.... think I was right!

We live on the chalk downlands of Hampshire in Southern England and if you dug 1m down into our garden you would find solid chalk.... yes solid ! and 0.5m down is broken up chalk and subsoil. On top of that is a rather thin soil that lacks much organic matter.

I spoke to Ian McLaughlin at A & L labs in Canada (as seems to be the thing round here!) and he was really helpful and suggested using Phosyn Labs in the UK to whom A & L are linked.

I got the following results back with their guideline levels in brackets after.

pH 8.1 (6.5)
Phosphorous 9ppm (71ppm)
Magnesium 46ppm (100ppm)
Calcium 4171ppm (1600ppm)
Sulphur 4ppm (10ppm)
Manganese 23ppm (110ppm)
Copper 7.1ppm (2.1ppm)
Boron 1.58ppm (2.10ppm)
Zinc 9.3ppm (4.1ppm)
Molybdenum 0.03ppm (0.2ppm)
Iron 37ppm (50ppm)
Sodium 22ppm (90ppm)
CEC 20.9meq/100g (15.0meq/100g)

Now clearly this isn't going to do unless I want to grow competition winning Buddleia. I need to get this soil acidified and get some nutrients in. Where do I start? Iron Sulphate and a load of rotted horse manure? On the positive side I can get as much horse manure as I want.... steaming fresh stuff or the crumbly chocolate cake rotted stuff.

Do I spend all winter carting rotted manure by barrow to make a raised bed?

Ladies and gentlemen, experts and enthusiasts, your advice please!

8/30/2006 4:33:05 PM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

Yes spend all winter carting manure,leaves from the new forest as well if you can they will rot down a bit slower.
I'd add some Bonemeal or Superphosphate in with it and a base fertiliser with trace elements in the spring.

9/9/2006 6:04:13 PM

milford, CT,

Do Not add Lime...8.1 Ph could be making nutrients unavailable to the plant. Mark

9/9/2006 9:19:40 PM

Hoorse manure with wood chips/sawdust for bedding would be ideal for getting that ph down and adding OM not knowing if that is common in your area. But just horse manure runs to the acid side in my neighborhood. Straw also to add carbon and OM. You are doing the homework and getting things ready at the right time.
Good luck on the patch.

9/10/2006 5:46:28 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Sulphur will bring your PH down. I would use about 25# per 1000 sq ft. Remember it takes anywhere from 3 months - 1 year for it to lower it. I'd also consider peat moss. It will add organic matter & also help lower your PH. Aged manure & maple leaves will add much needed organic matter to your patch, so get it in this fall. Once your done tilling it all in, a nice cover crop would be a great finishing touch. Hope this helps.

Phil

10/30/2006 6:52:12 AM