Community Garden Soil Test Results
Soil Test Results Spring 2013
Our soil test is back and may be downloaded below. The results suggest how you can amend your soil for optimum growth. Basically our soil is on the sweet side as opposed to acid so you don't need lime. You may amend with peat moss, oak leaves or garden sulphur. Peat moss is always a great idea because it enhances the soil texture and helps hold moisture.The compost we had delivered from the county was created for the most part with leaves and should be on the acid side as well.
If you plan on adding fertilizer, keep in mind the suggested balance mentioned on the soil test when shopping and of course make sure it's organic. It wouldn't hurt to do a litte web surfing/searching for info and sources of organic materials if you don't know much about buying these things or brands that are recommended.
About Lowering Alkalinity
In a nutshell: Your best option is to add organic matter and grow plants that do well in alkaline soils.
The whole story: Technically, all soils with a pH higher than 7.0 are alkaline, or "sweet," but most garden plants tolerate a pH up to about 7.5. Alkaline soils are generally composed of basic (high pH) parent materials such as limestone (calcium carbonate). High-pH soils are more prevalent in arid climates, because rainfall does not leach the calcium and other basic materials out of the soil. Soil pH affects nutrient availability for plants, and in soils with a pH over 7.8, iron, zinc, and phosphorus deficiencies are common.
Lowering soil pH is a slow and challenging process. "The truth is, lowering soil pH is hard, because the limestone in the soil continually dissolves," says Jessica Davis, Ph.D., a professor of soil science at Colorado State University. Davis recommends getting your soil tested to determine its pH, lime content, soil texture, and mineral and nutrient content. If the test results indicate a medium or high lime content, she recommends not trying aggressive measures to lower the soil pH.
The most aggressive way to lower soil pH is to apply pure sulfur or flowers of sulfur. You should follow your soil test's recommendations, but in general, if you are applying sulfur to an area that does not currently have any plants growing in it, such as a new garden bed, you can apply it at a higher rate than in areas with growing plants. You can also add organic matter, such as compost or composted manure, to your soil annually and mulch with acidic organic mulches, such as pine needles. Adding organic matter slowly lowers your pH over time, while increasing microbial life and improving the structure of your soil.