Soil pH advice!

[Snadger]

................surely if there was a leak in the foul water system you'd smell it?

And the puddles in your garden would be green!

[lynda66]

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.

the pipes don't run round the front, so it can't be that, and all the pipes run into one drain (i had an in depth lecture about the drains when i built a patio in the back garden over the manhole cover off my neighbour who's lived here 48 years ........ shall go and try some deeper soil now ..... neighbours already think i'm mental so going out in my dressing gown and slippers in the dark collecting soil shouldn't surprise them too much lol BRB

[selfraising]

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.

You certainly seem to know your stuff. Sounds pretty serious though.

[zazen999]

................surely if there was a leak in the foul water system you'd smell it?

And the puddles in your garden would be green!

It's often the off run from the kitchen sink rather than from the toilet!

It's very common. Honest!

[Snadger]

It's often the off run from the kitchen sink rather than from the toilet!

It's very common. Honest!

Grey water?

btw how come GYO can afford to pay you five times what you were making as a whatchamacallit!

[lynda66]

right the soil at 6-9 inches is all the same, so i did a couple of samples from the back garden and they come out around 8 ......... (the only drain that goes anywhere near the front is from the rainwater off the roof, and that goes down the side of the garden the other side of the path)

anyway, was wondering, could it possibly be that the hardcore used for the paving that used to be there, be some form of limestone?? ....... although most of the 1/2 inch lumps i come across are black, just wondering if maybe when they turfed the lawn they just stuck soil on top of the gravel?

[zazen999]

Grey water?

btw how come GYO can afford to pay you five times what you were making as a whatchamacallit!

LOL...

I pay GYO - it's the only way I get to converse with normal people - even if it is just online!

Anyway - I'm hoping that the next tests come back normal for our Lynda - or at least not too bubbly.

[zazen999]

right the soil at 6-9 inches is all the same, so i did a couple of samples from the back garden and they come out around 8 ......... (the only drain that goes anywhere near the front is from the rainwater off the roof, and that goes down the side of the garden the other side of the path)

anyway, was wondering, could it possibly be that the hardcore used for the paving that used to be there, be some form of limestone?? ....... although most of the 1/2 inch lumps i come across are black, just wondering if maybe when they turfed the lawn they just stuck soil on top of the gravel?

It could well be...it was the bubbles that hint at it being from the water pipes...did you get bubbles this time around?

[lynda66]

oh yeah and not bubbly, no scummy stuff and no stinging hand from the soil at the back

[lynda66]

It could well be...it was the bubbles that hint at it being from the water pipes...did you get bubbles this time around?

yup in the front, was much the same as the top stuff ..... not big bubbles like soap would if you stuck a drop in water and shook it, different bubbles sort of like air and bubbles rising through the water like lemonade but smaller, but stay round the edge ....... (wish i'd paid attention in chemistry lol)

[Snadger]

Dolomite.....dolomite.......dolomite...........pure limestone and used under tarmac, gravel paths, patios etc! Just bought some magnesium limestone for lottie......crushed dolomite! Whatchabetting it's that! (also used in some inferior grades of topsoil to bulk it out!)

I want Zazens old job even if it does only pay a fifth of £500 grand per annum!

[zazen999]

Hmm...gotta go as the OH's is just firing the DVD up -

I'll have a think about other causes...meanwhile

What type of soil is it mainly?
Have you got any cracks around the front of the house?
Is the ground wetter there than at the back [on the whole]?

I'll be back in a bit...

[lynda66]

it would explain the all over ness of it wouldn't it tis annoying, i don't wanna make raised beds, cos i'm hoping this damned allotment will be sorted sometime soon

[selfraising]

Well I'm watching with interest and learning!

[Snadger]

LOL...

I pay GYO - it's the only way I get to converse with normal people - even if it is just online!

Anyway - I'm hoping that the next tests come back normal for our Lynda - or at least not too bubbly.

Ha! 'Normal people' on the vine...............where????????