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[EarthNSky <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>]

Clansgian AT wmconnect.com wrote:
> Oddly it didn't move the pH of the soil much, you've no doubt found out that 
> in organic soil, you can't bully the pH.  The organisms will adjust it to suit 
> themselves no matter much what you do. 

I've noticed that, too.  My pH is 6.8 and apparently buffered well.  I 
suppose that is why I am a bit hesitant to start adding gypsum.



But when that stuff touches hard
> clay, it loosens into very nice coarse soil.  Even a little added to hard clay 
> makes a big difference.

There is one rather compacted spot in the garden where I left the pigs a 
bit too long.  It created a subsurface compaction-about a foot deep.  I 
could use some there.
I suppose I could just grind it up/bust it up and scatter it around.
I found this online and thought it might help someone.


http://cesonoma.ucdavis.edu/hortic/pdf/ag_lime_gypsum.pdf


I meant to take care of this stuff a while back but never found that 
round tuit.  I'll get it done Thursday.  What fun it will be to bust it 
all up.<g>


> I scarcely bother to test the soil any more.  Adding all the organic material 
> I can get makes the soil heat up, play host to every sort of fungus and 
> mushroom you can imagine, turn all and sundry shades, and it seems to reach an 
> equilibrium that is not much affected by amendments.  After tresting the soil for 
> several years in a row and getting the same neutral, middle of the road 
> results, I quit doing it.

I haven't done it in a few years either.  DH wants me to test it ( :) 
see what I mean?) but I just don't think it is necessary.
Rob, did you ever buy one of those soil testers?


> I've come to the conclusion that the soil tests do not have active organic 
> soils in mind.  In chemical soils, the macronutrients are there or they aren't 
> and you can measure that.  But in organic soils the form that nitrogen and 
> phosphorous take for direct plant use are present only in very small  quantities.  
> As the nutrients are depleated by the plants, bacteria are call out of 
> domancy and make more until the balance is restored.  The tests apparently have no 
> means of testing that potential.

I hold that faith as well.

Bev

--
"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will 
not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius 
will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the 
world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone 
are omnipotent. The slogan 'press on' has solved and always will solve 
the problems of the human race"

~ Calvin Coolidge