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Ironton, ohio

625sqft backyard clay patch 5ph what are the odds/approach to getting it near a 6.5 by may? I'm late to the game giant pumpkins never crossed my mind til Nov.

1/12/2020 9:29:51 AM

Grittyville, WA

A possibly 'Fake news' answer: Calcium hydroxide will change it instantly. Check for Type S masonry 'calcium hydroxide' at your hardware store. There are better ways I am sure... but I bet thats the cheapest and fastest.

Or... add a lot of wood ash. Wood ash needs to be spread evenly and applied prior to a lot of excess rain, or the salts in it can hurt the plants. Wood ash also can be mixed with compost and then allowed to sit for 6+ months but by then the ph wont be very high.

Someone else can hopefully give you a real answer! Clay at 5.0... maybe just haul in some good dirt.

1/12/2020 10:14:22 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

calcium hydroxide is lime. I think that has been the general standard for a long time.

I admit that I have no experience with clay soils. 625 sq ft does not seem too immense of an area to modify. You might start with adding compost. Depending on the type of compost, it can change the ph. Avoid forest product compost,they lower ph. Most other kinds will raise it. Age of the compost also affects the ph. I would aim to get about 5% om level and then retest. I have heard with clay you don't want too high of an om due to disease pressure.

If you live far enough south that you can still work on your soil now, you should have plenty of time to improve it.

1/12/2020 1:06:51 PM

Grittyville, WA

calcium carbonate is lime...

1/12/2020 2:06:57 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

calcium hydroxide is traditionally called slaked lime. It has many names including hydrated lime, caustic lim, builder's lime, slack lime or pickling lime. All this is per wikipedia.

1/12/2020 2:26:04 PM

Bethlehem CT

You can still use regular lime, I would apply it right now, as it takes several months before it starts to work. We still have lots of time before spring for it to work into the soil.
You can also choose to use the hydrated lime in the spring and have it adjust the pH very quickly. I used it last year on my patch because I didn't start my new patch until April. Hydrated lime is often harder to find, big feed stores will have it, you may have to ask for it.

Most growers prefer to use regular garden lime (Calcium carbonate) as it is commonly available and less apt to cause harm to the soil or burn the plant if misapplied.

1/12/2020 8:43:57 PM

Bethlehem CT

For hydrated lime you will need a drop spreader as it comes in a very fine powder,

1/12/2020 8:49:40 PM

Deer Park WA

Calprill is what we used on our clay patch in Battle Ground WA along with copius ammounts of compost tilled in deeply. Went from 5.0 to 6.9 but it too several years.

1/13/2020 10:12:45 PM

Central Illinois

I don't think slake is recommended very often

1/14/2020 6:19:23 AM

Partlow,Va

It is very easy to raise your PH. Dolomitic lime. It also contains Ca and Mg and both are important for growing giants. Every garden, feed or big box store in your area will have it because it is widely used. It is inexpensive. The rates per 1000 sq ft are right on the bag. The amount required depends on your soil texture with sand needing the least and clay the most. For a clay based soil it takes about 90lbs/1000 to raise PH by one point.
I would put some down right now. If you can work the land i would recommend getting the lime wet before tilling, whether it be waiting for a rain or by irrigation. Then till and put some more on top. Do some research for yourself on soils and get to know your soil.
Also, in warmer climates take it easy with the manure and compost. Good drainage is your friend. Good luck and happy growing!

1/14/2020 9:02:20 AM

Grittyville, WA

/\ /\ My gut says there's some good advice. A couple ideas... It may help to know the ph of the water you will be irrigating with as that could be a factor in what will work for your plants. And... your soil test would tell if the lime you use needs just calcium or both calcium and magnesium.
With ph that low my guess would be both but I am NOT an expert. I shouldnt be making any guesses.

1/14/2020 9:37:32 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Due to many applications of SMS compost my soil has been at 7.4 for years. It was 6.1 when I bought the property. Spent mushroom soil is cheap and readily available in my area.

1/14/2020 9:45:20 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Mushroom houses will share the analysis of their SMS with you. Generally the pH is 7.5.

1/14/2020 9:46:48 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

If you have clay,.lots of compost would help with the texture,and it tends to run higher ph. I checked the latest test of the compost I get from Cedar Rapids and it had a ph of 8.14 last August. I just have to be careful not to get my soil too high. It usually runs 7.0 to 7.3.

1/14/2020 2:46:58 PM

Hot West Tennessee

Get a total soil test to know where you are with all levels of minerals. In a attempt to raise my ph I sent my magnesium out of balance. Clay soils hold a lot of magnesium! Be careful. Ph is better raised over time. Compost is the best way. Logan Labs right there in your state.

1/18/2020 11:35:53 PM

Ironton, ohio

Thanks guys. I used Logan labs for my soil test was a good experience for a first timer. Was able to spade fork and put down pellitized lime, baby steps and fingers crossed. Best of luck everyone!

1/19/2020 8:49:33 AM

Orient, Ohio

Dalton send me an email
Bryan.reeb@gmail.com

1/26/2020 6:03:09 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Same as Gads, we’ve used Calpril with great results to raise our PH to where we want it. Good luck.

4/26/2021 9:25:55 PM