We have very alkaline soil here. Can use help in raising the ph of our garden. Can anyone help?

Question

We would prefer something natural, not chemical.

Answer 1

Quoted from a study done at Utah State University source below:

+++ Amend the soil with organic matter. On average, soils with higher organic matter contents have lower pH. Peat or sphagnum peat moss are highly acidic and will lower soil pH more than other organic amendments.

+++ Add elemental sulfur (90 or 99% sulfur material) annually at a rate of 6 to 10 pounds per 1000 square feet of area. Elemental sulfur slowly oxidizes in soil to form sulfuric acid. Test the soil occasionally and stop adding sulfur when pH has reached desirable levels.

+++ Use acidifying fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate and other products with label designations indicating an acidic reaction in the soil. With repeated use these materials may reduce soil pH.

+++ Plant on raised beds in a sandy medium amended with peat moss or another source of acidic organic matter. An alternative is to plant in boxes or ½ barrels heavily amended with acidic
forms of organic matter.

Answer 2

Umm, alkaline soil has a high pH, so if you want it less alkaline you need to lower, not raise the pH. Are you having trouble growing plants? What plants won't grow? The first step is to measure your actual pH, there are inexpensive kits available in garden centres for this. This will help establish whether your soil is alkaline or not and is necessary in deciding what treatment to use.

In general, it is very difficult to lower pH by any significant amount and it is an ongoing battle as the soil will constantly revert to its original pH. Decide whether you really need to grow acid loving plants, it is much easier to plant things suited to your soil rather than change the soil.

Elemental sulphur should be added to the soil, see the link below for details.

Answer 3

Raising the soil pH will make it MORE alkaline.. are you sure you want to do that?

I'm guessing you want to acidify (lower the pH).. to that end, you can do several things. Add sphagnum peat moss to your soil. It normally has a pH value of between 3.5 and 4.0, so it's an acidic amendment. You can add sulfur, which is acidic as well and although it's a chemical, it's not an unnatural chemical compound and is a micronutrient for plants. You can add aluminum sulfate to acidify as well.

now the home brews.. coffee grounds, lemon juice, vinegar, etc. etc, etc.... yes, they are acidic, but it does require a pretty good bit of it to make a difference and make a difference over the long term..

In my opinion, the sphagnum is probably your best option.. you can drop your soil pH and raise your organic levels all at once. (enhancing organic content makes it easier to obtain better moisture levels and helps plants thrive in lesser soils).

Good Luck!

Answer 4

I'm guessing you know what your pH is so to raise your pH you will need
to increase ph by 1% to make your soil more alkaline
add 4 ounces of hydrated lime add 4 ouncess of lime per square yard in sandy soil 8 ounces limesquare yard loamy soils12 ounces in clay soils lime
25 ounces i peaty soils of hydrated
put mask on stops the dust going onto your lungs
the best way to ajust the ph is over a couple of seasons
if your soil is excessively alkaline you may find it better to build raised beds using topsoil purchased from a nursery

Answer 5

The best thing for you to use for that is humble, organic, economical epsom salt!

It adds magnesium and sulfur to the garden, which plants love too! Sprinkle some grains, then hose them down off the leaves.

Best way to get rid of slugs and snails without pesticides too!

Answer 6

the best way to raise the ph without chemicals is compost, cut grass, leftover food, leaves etc. till in the ground 4 inches (after the compost has set for 2 weeks and it will do the trick)

Answer 7

Hi, I have the same problem due to old pine trees and wood chips covering areas of my yard. My dad told me to buy some granulated lime and work it into the soil to neutralize it.

Hope that helps.

Answer 8

I have heard the following:

Add Lemon Juice
Add Granulated Lime
Add coffee grounds ( used )