North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Jim Fruth <jfruth@uslink.net>]

    I'm reading alot of calcium recommendations but nothing based on Science
or on the needs of the soil.
    Before adding calcium carbonate, you should first check your pH! ! ! !
If your pH is over 6.5 (or whatever the optimal pH is for your plants ),
adding calcium carbonate could be a definite detriment because it is going
to raise your pH.  IF you soil NEEDS calcium, and your pH is where it should
be for your crop, then you should be using chelated calcium (comes in liquid
form) or gypsum (calcium sulfate).  Neither of these will raise pH.  Calcium
chloride and hydrated lime should NEVER be used unless it is recommended by
a soil scientist; and the odds of that ever happening are close to zip.
    If you are just adding fertilizer for the sake of adding it or based on
what your neighbor is using, you could be wasting your money or, at worst,
doing your soil a disservice.  Do yourself, and your orchard, a favor and
get a soil test.  And get your test done by a private lab - I use K Ag
International in Oshkosh Wisconsin.  University soils labs tend to charge
less but in States where I have attempted to use them, they refuse to do a
micronutrient analysis and if you need calcium AND your pH is already too
high they still recommend lime because some lime companies contribute to
their research fund.
-- 

Jim Fruth
Brambleberry Farm
Pequot Lakes, MN
www.bberryfarm.com
Jams, Jellies and Syrups
(218)568-8483 [Store]
(218)831-7018 [My cell]