North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Jim Fruth <jfruth@uslink.net>]

Dennis,
    You said, "By the way, if our pH is high, they always recommend lime and
if not, calcium chloride."

    Sounds like you have an unscrupulous soil tester who is probably getting
a kick-back from a lime company like some (many/most?) university soils test
labs get.  If your pH is high, a RESPONSIBLE soil tester would recommend
gypsum.  You need to find a responsible soils lab.

    As for home owners getting a soils test, I recommend it to my students,
to do it at least once.  I recommend it where the same soil has been used
for 50 to 100 years, especially those with sandy soil.  Micronutrients are
more likely to become depleted in sand than in heavier soils.
-- 

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