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Ontario, Canada.

Winter is here in Ontario as we had 4" of SNOW yesterday. I tested the fresh lake effect snow off Georgian Bay and found it at PH of 6.8. Has anyone tested snow or rain water for PH? I suspect that storm rain or snow from the winter driven Gulf of Mexico storms will be much more acid as they pick up atmospheric sulfer in the Mid-West. I need all the PH lowering help I can get to compete with Phil (Copper) LOL............

11/9/2004 8:28:30 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Russ, last fall my soil sample said my PH was 7.6, so I added 50# bag of sulfur along with my regular fall prep. This fall my sample read 6.9. It takes a while, but it will bring it down. I heard from a couple Heavy Hitters that have soil like ours and they recommended adding small amounts every fall to keep it in line. Hope this helps. The way your going Russ, I think you are going to be on top soon....Phil

11/9/2004 9:07:42 AM

New England

What is ideal ph...around 7 ?

11/9/2004 10:15:07 AM

Ontario, Canada.

Thanks Phil, I hope so too. High PH has been my most pressing problem for about the last year. Roy's pesky soil is rich in both OM and Ca and tests around 7.8. The fall 2003 addition of 16 yards caused the alkaline swing over a year ago. Wayne helped me in the spring and now I at 7 and moving to the good side.approaching nuetral but my quest is still the Holy Grail range of 6.5 to 6.8. I have found some recent reading that suggested high Organic Matter soils will benefit from even lower PH ranges, but I have yet to find the research ro support this. I have added moderate amounts of NPK in sulfate forms this fall to combat the problem as I could not find sulfer. My next question is where did you find the Sulfer?

11/9/2004 10:45:57 AM

Northern Cambria, Pa.

The last time I tested rain water or snow here in western PA it was around 5.5pH. There are a lot of coal fired power stations in the area so it is probably higher here than other locations.

11/9/2004 10:47:21 AM

Ohio

Kahuna, do you have your own soil sample tester? T
The soil sampler kit you buy at a garden center, they any good?

Brooks

11/9/2004 12:57:21 PM

I know pumpkins like neutral ph but what would they fair better in. more acidic soil or more basic soil. But closer to neutral. Not very basic or acidic just close in by neutral but enough to be called a base or acid.

11/9/2004 1:44:48 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

I got my sulfur at the local Agrico. They sell it in 50# bags. I think I payed $14 for it.

Phil

11/9/2004 2:47:14 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Kyle, Most nutrients are availible below 6.8
But you can grow biggins in soil much higher too.

11/9/2004 5:20:48 PM

Leamington, Ont.

Kahuna:
we got lucky...snow missed us!
had our first good frost this morning though

11/9/2004 5:40:31 PM

Leamington, Ont.

I never really thought of ph and snow..you guys are deep!
Guess i still have lots to learn or think about

11/9/2004 5:55:22 PM

Ontario, Canada.

I was in Windsor on the weekend shiz, 70*f sunny and no jacket. Sometimes I wish I lived once again in the Banana Belt of Canada and not in the Snow Belt. OH Well, I still suffer with my Lions and Tigers year after year. Thank God for Fox Sports Net it helps keep me in touch with the Detroit sports... Shiznit your local Zug Island acid rain is sure to brighten up the most alkaline pumpkin patch. LOL..........

11/9/2004 7:12:10 PM

Ontario, Canada.

LOL..... alkaline = Al Kaline the best ballplayer from Detroit in the last 6o years.

11/9/2004 7:16:51 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Brooks, the very uncomplex method I used was the test strips for my hot tub.

11/9/2004 7:27:26 PM

Ohio

thats a great idea!

11/9/2004 8:40:34 PM

Ohio

Great idea for water, but be kinda hard to test your soil with it unless it was really wet.

11/9/2004 8:42:33 PM

[email protected]

Use a real lab for soil testing. Garden Center kits & meters are not reliable.

11/9/2004 9:39:54 PM

Oz

dont clog the jets on the hot tub with the soil

11/10/2004 9:29:38 AM