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  • From: EarthNSky <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>
  • To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] Gypsum was Tillers...was Soil
  • Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:59:04 -0500



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




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