Soil pH advice!

[lynda66]

think the cost of that might be a bit prohibitive lol ..... it's my whole veggie plot ..... will go and test the back garden tomorrow, and see what that's like, hopefully that might be a bit better as it's had lots of compost in the last 4 years..... thing is, if it's as bad, none of my fruit bushes are gonna grow well, cos they all seem to prefer it slightly acidic,

[lynda66]

Theoretically Lynda, IF your tap water is neutral..............if you leave the hose on and flood the garden.........then let it dry, you should bring the ph down considerably!

now that may be a plan ......... either that or i could just wash all the soil away to about 4 foot deep and start again

[selfraising]

Yeah guess you're right. It's weird that you're getting the same results all round. Could the tester be faulty?

[zazen999]

Oy you! There's nowt the matter with testing your soil if you so wish.I haven't tested mine either as yet, but I'm going to.

One of my plots was let to a chimney sweep at some time in the past and the soil is very black, but I would like to see what his neverending dressings of soot have done for not only the Ph but also the NPK.

You yourself, are doing moon gardening experiments so don't dis anyone who is doing a scientific soil analysis!

Granted, if you're any sort of gardener you should have an idea of what the Ph and NPK are judging by what grows well and what doesn't.

After doing a soil analysis though on my last plot I found out it was hugely defficient in Potassium but had enough Phosphates to see out my lifetime.

I altered the fertiliser regime and bingo, I started to get better crops.

Don't dis technology for goodness sake or else we'd all be living in caves and pushing wheelbarows around with square wheels!

*gets down off podium*

I meant WHY [ie what are the reasons...black soil - crops not growing etc etc or just because]....I am all in favour of testing soil [I did work as a Soil Engineer for 14 years - so I know all about it] - but sometimes the issue is about what is around and about rather than a pH value...

[Snadger]

Awwww thanks Snadger for sticking up for me. I'm pretty new to all this gardening stuff.
How do you find out what nutrients (potassium etc) you have in the soil?

The ph test you've used will be based on colour graduations read off a chart methinks?
You can get a similar type of test for each of the three main elements NPK (Nitrogen-Phosphate and Potassium)
The Nitrogen is pretty fluid in the soil so you will only get an 'as is' check. Phosphates and Pottasium don't leach as quickly so your reading would probably be good for a couple of months.
Each plant has an optimum requirement for the three basic elements per annum and from the tests you can change your fertiliser regime, whether it be organic or non organic to suit.
I simply went from a nitrogen rich fertiliser to a Potassium rich fertiliser and after a re-test ascertained that I then had the correct NPK balance.

Can be an interesting, but quite time consuming experiment!

[selfraising]

The pH test was as you said. NPK test sounds interesting might have a go at that. Is there an ideal time to do the test?

[zazen999]

Lynda - can you pop some of your high ph soil into some water and shake it up. Are there bubbles at the top?


ETA: High alkaline soils can be a sign of leaks in the foul water systems.

[lynda66]

Yeah guess you're right. It's weird that you're getting the same results all round. Could the tester be faulty?

nope, am using litmus, and everything else i have tested has come out as expected,

[Snadger]

I meant WHY [ie what are the reasons...black soil - crops not growing etc etc or just because]....I am all in favour of testing soil [I did work as a Soil Engineer for 14 years - so I know all about it] - but sometimes the issue is about what is around and about rather than a pH value...

Had to google 'Soil Engineer'

!

[zazen999]

Had to google 'Soil Engineer'

!

Hmm.

try Geotechical Engineer.

[selfraising]

Hmmmm have no further answers at the moment to your problem, sorry.

[lynda66]

Lynda - can you pop some of your high ph soil into some water and shake it up. Are there bubbles at the top?


ETA: High alkaline soils can be a sign of leaks in the foul water systems.

theres bubbles round the edge, tis a bit scummy ....and my hand started stinging like it does when i wash up without gloves(good excuse not to wash up ) we don't have hard water, it's very soft here........ there is also now a puddle in the middle of my kitchen floor where my hand slipped off the glass ......

it's broke soil innit

the water pipes don't go near the front garden so can't be that

[Snadger]

Hmm.

try Geotechical Engineer.

Had a look at the spec.........pretty impressive, an interesting job requiring a lot of technical knowledge................so you're not just a pretty face then...........Bet the pay was good anall!

[zazen999]

To Lynda...Sorry chuck, but it looks like it. Could be why the grass and/or leeks aren't growing - but worse it can cause subsidence if there is a leaky pipe [it might not be yours]. If it is in ALL the soil then it's probably a very long running problem.

I know it's more work - but can you get a sample or 3 from about 6 or more inches below the soil level and test them separately? Use a dibber or knife to just make a wedge and dig some out...if this is also bubbly and high pH then it shows it is either a really long term problem, or it is coming up from below somewhere. If it is nearer 7 then that's a good sign.

You might have to grow in raised beds out the front - sorry. But the landlord/council should be notified as soon as possible.

[zazen999]

Had a look at the spec.........pretty impressive, an interesting job requiring a lot of technical knowledge................so you're not just a pretty face then...........Bet the pay was good anall!

The pay was about 1/5 of what I earn now so no - but I do know my mud! And concrete - and don't even get me on Bitumen/Asphalt.