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Breslau, Ontario, Canada

Obviously, pH is a major factor in plant nutrient availability.
From where I'm from we have high pH soil (7.0-8.0) I add sulfur every fall and spring to lower the pH of my soil.

A friend who has been involved in agriculture for longer than I've been alive, who also happens to grow giant pumpkins regularly adds Lime to his garden. When I first witnessed him doing it, I asked him what the heck he was doing. We got into a season long debate about soil pH. My friend swears he regularly lowers soil pH by adding Lime???
I think it has something to do with shifting Ca:Mg ratio

Can someone explain this to me...Please....maybe Amelio?

12/16/2011 1:56:18 PM

President - GPC

Lime raises your Ph, elemental sulphur helpZ with lowering Ph. You really must know what kind of soil you have, get a test! If you have a high Ph, lime is the last thing you want to use if your trying to lower your Ph.

I live in Colorado where the soil here is Calcareous, and we water with water thatZ also high in Ph too. This year I am going to try something different, that yes, MR A shared with me. SInce that I have read a lot about using Oxaclic Acid... Organic Acid, mysterious stuff, I read that some think that Mycho produces this as a by product as well...anywiZe I have done a lot to bring down my PH, itZ moving slowly... but I wanna move a bit faster and not wait till Im 75 to have my Ph more balanced. SO guess we will find out.... I will be doing this on a couple of patches first... Slow and Steady... sorry LM PEte...lol
Watch me diary....and we will see together....

ALso, check everything you put in your patch for Ph... WHy would one use egg shells in a alkaline patch when they feed the chickens lime to harden their shells. These are the kind of thingZ I have been watching to adjust my soil.....

12/16/2011 3:34:18 PM

President - GPC

Sorry I misspelt again....lol Oxalic Acid...check it out..

12/16/2011 3:35:08 PM

Breslau, Ontario, Canada

Thanks Wiz!
I have done a lot of research on this also.
From Amelio
"The cations will be mobilized in line with demand in the warmer soil, when very much K2O is needed.
Please look at the Ca/Mg-ratio within the cations, ´cause Mg is needed for a best root expansion also at the digged vines.
That's why I asked for his opinion on this. It appears he is kind of getting at what my friend has been telling me all along.
pH is a symptom of the imbalance of nutrients in the soil...if you can get it all in line, your pH will fall into place also?

12/16/2011 4:00:11 PM

Breslau, Ontario, Canada

Thanks for your reply.
If you dont mind, I may send you my soil report with solubles.
pH range appears to be so important for uptake. I see people adding aluminum sulfate and such to lower the pH but I cant help but think that this stuff is toxic.

12/30/2011 10:08:19 AM

formerly RGG

Dolomitic lime will lower a high PH and raise a low PH. It brings the PH toward neutral.

1/24/2012 10:07:00 PM

Breslau, Ontario, Canada

Thanks TD
Just finished some reading on the different types of limes

John

1/26/2012 10:36:38 PM