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Northeast

Currently my pH is 7.0. My organic matter is way over 10%. In years past my pH ends up around 5.5 to 6.3 come fall. I really need some help with this problem. I have not been able to find a real scientific way to keep my pH around 6.8 and what product to use. Thanks Dave

4/29/2003 6:19:27 PM

Waquoit Mass

what is your buffer ph ability to change ph?

4/29/2003 6:39:55 PM

[email protected]

David,

The decomposition of organic matter yields humic "acid". Good for plants. Not teriffic for soil pH.Commonly used fertilizers acidify soils somewhat. And all the water pumpkins need will cause Calcium to leach. Result is acidic soil. It's OK (indeed desirable) to apply small quanitities of Lime during the season to counteract this condition. I'm thinking low rates here like 5-10 lbs/M once per month. But not with fertilizer. Lime will negate a portion of the fertilizer & vice versa, though this is a small & fairly insignificant loss.

Steve

4/29/2003 8:57:21 PM

Montoursville, PA

Whew........that's a tough call. All compost when finished ends up at about 7.0. The addition of pelletized agricultural use lime is slower perhaps but it it also slower effected by the changing patch. It would be impossible to apply it in the growing season away from the regular and study fertilization programs of most growers.

My feeling is that lime in any form should be a fall amendment with only minor early Spring treatment. If the spring is late and cold any addition will not likely show adjustments until middle to late in the season anyway.

For your consideration it appears that you may be adding heavy percentages of manures and half finished compost in the Spring. If so get back to fall with all major additions and adjust to those needs. The early Spring tilling under of the cover crop would then be the only Spring tilling.

There is a little something in your management that is raising a question or two. Think I have covered my concerns.

4/30/2003 11:02:39 AM

[email protected]

Here in CT all soils will become acidic as rain & irrigation waters leach away calcium. Regardless of amendments used. Timing of organic amendments, source & state of decomposition will admittedly have an impact. Fertilizers do hasten the process. Use lime sparingly any time you wish. Fall only lime is an old wives tale.

Steve

4/30/2003 8:28:07 PM

Northeast

I add all my soil amendments in the early fall by the 3rd week in october and on goes the winter rye. Dave

4/30/2003 9:42:41 PM