Re: Need Advice: Has anyone dealt with high alkaline soils?

**N* S* <s*@earthlink.net>**

Sheri, I agree with Tom about the need to check out your water  
supply.   My soil is heavy clay with a  pH 7.5 but I water with a pH  
of 8. The problem
may be excess sodium. Rose growers who use large amounts of chemical  
fertilizers with
high salt indexes often see their roses peter out after 3 or 4  
years.    Check out a product
called Clearex that leaches the sodium from the soil. It's available  
at Rosemania (www.rosemania.com)
Blueberries are true acidlovers and I want to grow some this summer  
so I will plant them in a container with the bottom cut off and fill it
with a special mix using Canadian spagnum in the mix. I'll also  
acidify the water if I had to irrigate a lot.

Nancy Szerlag

On Mar 30, 2008, at 10:49 PM, Sheri Ann Richerson wrote:

> Since moving here I have watched corn dwarf and not develop, my  
> roses and
> blueberries grow tinier by the year and other plants just not  
> thrive. I have
> added kelp, compost - both homemade and store bought and only used  
> organic
> products. Recently it was really bothering me why my plants were  
> doing so
> poorly, especially after the way my previous garden was so I tested  
> the pH.
> The pH of my soil is 8+,  pegged on a pH meter. I know the meter  
> works, so I
> added some sulfur and some more compost to the garden - small areas  
> at a
> time making sure to work it in, previously I had only top dressed  
> the soil
> thinking that would be enough. The only thing I know about the  
> previous
> history of this yard is it was sprayed every year by a leading  
> chemical
> company. I have lived here for four years this coming August. Can  
> anyone
> give me some advice on why it is taking so long to get my pH  
> adjusted and
> why it might be so alkaline? The first thing I did even before  
> unpacking was
> plant my garden.
>
>
>
> Do feel free to contact me off list. I live in Indiana and have red  
> clay for
> soil.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Sheri
>
>
>
>
>
> Sheri <http://www.sheriannricherson.com/>  Ann Richerson - Author
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Nancy Szerlag
Columnist for Detroit News
szerlag@earthlink.net
Check blog at www.gardeneryardener.blogspot.com

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