[NAFEX] Acidifying Soil
Jim Fruth
jfruth at uslink.net
Fri Oct 13 09:33:27 EDT 2006
To Lower pH by Ground Sulfur (Pints/100 Sq. Ft.)
Pounds/Acre
This Amount Sand
Loam Sand Loam
__________________________________________________________________________________
0.5 2/3
2 360 1,100
1.0 1-1/3
4 725 2,200
1.5 2
5-1/2 1,000 3,000
2.0 2-1/2
8 1,350 4,400
2.5 3
10 1,650 5,400
Soil pH changes are brought about by bacterial action. Bacteria need a
minimum of 3% organic matter (humus)
to do their work best. Testing your pH can be done by a soils lab but if
you use your own pH meter, the soil
must be thoroughly saturated with distilled water before taking a reading.
Once your soil is properly acidified,
maintain acidity with Ammonium Sulfate. For best results, soil should be
acidified at least one season before
planting because acidification is a slow process. Though it acidifies much
faster than Elemental Sulfur,
Aluminum Sulfate is not recommended for use. (There is a similar chart for
elevating pH in soil.)
Jim Fruth
Brambleberry Farm
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
www.bberryfarm.com
(218)568-8483 [Store]
(218)831-7018 [My Cell]
Does anyone else have any experience trying to move the soil
from a 7.4-7.0 down to 4.5-5.0?
Mark Angermayer
Zone 5 Kansas
More information about the nafex
mailing list