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de-acidify some soil?
I picked up a large bag of "garden soil" and only now see that it's "acidy", for use around shrubs and the like. If I want to use it as a potting soil, how can I de-acidify it? |
de-acidify some soil?
Just add a little lime. If none available then cement would serve as well I
would have thought. Brian. "barbie gee" wrote in message ... I picked up a large bag of "garden soil" and only now see that it's "acidy", for use around shrubs and the like. If I want to use it as a potting soil, how can I de-acidify it? |
de-acidify some soil?
On Sun, 09 May 2004 09:50:35 -0500, barbie gee
wrote: I picked up a large bag of "garden soil" and only now see that it's "acidy", for use around shrubs and the like. If I want to use it as a potting soil, how can I de-acidify it? Add some whiting. This is a form of calcium carbonate. It can be purchased at most hardware and paint stores. In texture and appearance it resembles four. Add 2 tablespoons per gallon of soil. If you decide to use agriculture lime instead, add one teaspoon per two gallons of soil. |
de-acidify some soil?
"Brian" wrote in message
... Just add a little lime. If none available then cement would serve as well I would have thought. Brian. Lime takes a long time to work. I would try wood ash if you are going to use it for potting soil. Here is a product that I picked up at garden show but haven't tried yet. It is called pH+Plus www.heartnsoil.com -al sung Hopkinton, MA Zone 6a |
de-acidify some soil?
barbie gee wrote in message ...
I picked up a large bag of "garden soil" and only now see that it's "acidy", for use around shrubs and the like. If I want to use it as a potting soil, how can I de-acidify it? Ground limestone, wood ashes, or rock phosphate. Be aware that garden soil is generally too heavy to use as potting soil , you will need to add leaf mold or compost and sharp sand or pearlite to open it up a bit. If you web search "John Innes #3" you will find a good deal of info on general potting mixes. |
de-acidify some soil?
Take it back and get another next time you drive by the place you got it
from. = barbie gee wrote: = I picked up a large bag of "garden soil" and only now see that it's "acidy", for use around shrubs and the like. = If I want to use it as a potting soil, how can I de-acidify it? -- = Celestial Habitats by J. Kolenovsky 2003 Honorable Mention Award, Keep Houston Beautiful =F4=BF=F4 - http://www.celestialhabitats.com - business. Quoted by the Ho= uston Chronicle Lazy Gardener as 1 of 7 best gardening websites in Houston. =F4=BF=F4 - http://www.hal-pc.org/~garden/personal.html - personal |
de-acidify some soil?
Alan Sung wrote:
"Brian" wrote in message ... Just add a little lime. If none available then cement would serve as well I would have thought. Brian. Lime takes a long time to work. I would try wood ash if you are going to use it for potting soil. Here is a product that I picked up at garden show but haven't tried yet. It is called pH+Plus www.heartnsoil.com Mason's lime (slaked lime) will work immediately. I don't see being acid as a bad thing for potting soil; municipal water is always alkaline and will neutralize the acid over time. Bob |
de-acidify some soil?
barbie gee wrote:
I picked up a large bag of "garden soil" and only now see that it's "acidy", for use around shrubs and the like. If I want to use it as a potting soil, how can I de-acidify it? If you are potting flowering plants, DO NOTHING! Most flowering plants prefer an acidic soil. Exceptions include dianthus, primula, and cactus. -- David E. Ross Climate: California Mediterranean Sunset Zone: 19 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean influence (USDA 10a) Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/ |
de-acidify some soil?
The message
from zxcvbob contains these words: I don't see being acid as a bad thing for potting soil; municipal water is always alkaline and will neutralize the acid over time. Is that *always* true of municipal water in the USA? it isn't here in the UK. Janet. |
de-acidify some soil?
|
de-acidify some soil?
Janet Baraclough.. wrote:
The message from zxcvbob contains these words: I don't see being acid as a bad thing for potting soil; municipal water is always alkaline and will neutralize the acid over time. Is that *always* true of municipal water in the USA? it isn't here in the UK. Janet. There are probably some exceptions somewhere, but yes. If the natural water supply is acidic they will increase the pH at the treatment plant to keep lead from leaching into the water from old pipes. Bob |
de-acidify some soil?
"David Ross" wrote in message ... barbie gee wrote: I picked up a large bag of "garden soil" and only now see that it's "acidy", for use around shrubs and the like. If I want to use it as a potting soil, how can I de-acidify it? If you are potting flowering plants, DO NOTHING! Most flowering plants prefer an acidic soil. Exceptions include dianthus, primula, and cactus. Thank you, David. After scrolling down the responses, I was afraid all were going to overlook this most basic of all points, that most flowering plants (and a good many broadleaf evergreens) prefer, or at the very least will tolerate, acidic soils. I'd also have to question exactly what type of "garden soil " the OP is using - potting soils generally contain very little in the way of actual soil. It is too heavy and not free draining enough to be very suitable for container plantings. They might want to look into lightening things up a bit with the addition of sand or perlite. btw, I'd also contend that most primulas prefer soils in the pH range of 5.5 to 6.5 - certainly on the acidic side. Generally, plants which orginate as woodland or shade plants and those preferring moist conditions also tend to prefer soils on the acidic side. pam - gardengal |
de-acidify some soil?
Subject: de-acidify some soil?
From: barbie gee Date: 5/9/2004 9:50 AM Central Daylight Time Message-id: I picked up a large bag of "garden soil" and only now see that it's "acidy", for use around shrubs and the like. If I want to use it as a potting soil, how can I de-acidify it? Most plants like acidic soil. Don't be surprised finding acidic potting soil, almost all potting soil is acidic. - theoneflasehaddock |
de-acidify some soil?
Subject: de-acidify some soil?
From: zxcvbob Date: 5/9/2004 10:57 PM Central Daylight Time Message-id: Janet Baraclough.. wrote: The message from zxcvbob contains these words: I don't see being acid as a bad thing for potting soil; municipal water is always alkaline and will neutralize the acid over time. Is that *always* true of municipal water in the USA? it isn't here in the UK. Janet. There are probably some exceptions somewhere, but yes. If the natural water supply is acidic they will increase the pH at the treatment plant to keep lead from leaching into the water from old pipes. There are quite a few exceptions. The area I'm from has mostly slightly acidic tapwater. You can always check the water quality report from your local water company. - theoneflasehaddock |
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