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Re: Soil pH

Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

The best way to reduce the soil pH--which in your case is very high at
8.1--is to incorporate large amounts of peat moss, compost and other organic
matter.  The peat should bring your soil pH down to about 7.0 (which is
desirable for most veggies) if you use Mel's formula or one similar.  What I
use for a 4 X 4-foot bed (raised about 8 inches above grade) is one 40-lb.
bag of composted cow manure, half of a 3-cubic-foot bale of peat moss and
one 40-lb. bag of top soil.  I incorporate the native soil, too.  Then I top
the prepared and planted bed with a 6-inch thick layer of mulch (any organic
material that breaks down such as straw, shredded leaves, etc.)  The mulch
decomposes over the growing season and becomes part of the soil.  This keeps
the pH about where it should be.  I have lived along the Texas Gulf Coast
and gardened for years in a climate very similar to yours.  And, this system
works well for keeping pH in balance, for maximum productivity and for
maintaining good drainage in a high rainfall area.  The mulch also helps
plants produce more and longer in the withering heat.  Just my 2 cents
worth.
Doreen Howard
Zone 5b, formerly 9b, soon to be 4b


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