Karen,
Please allow me offer a small clarification. Sawdust added may acidity, but wood ash is supposed to raise pH. I don't grow blueberries, but wouldn't you want to avoid wood ash?
Mark
KS
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:16 PM
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] compost, peatmoss, and soil ph
i would use sawdust, or wood ash. all the commercial growers in the willamette valley, oregon apply sawdust mulch every year for increasing acidity and adding organic matter. sand isn't going to do squat. leaf mulch might help, but it would have to be applied year after year, with minor effect. a pine/fir needle mulch might do better than oak leaf even. peaceful valley farm supply carries "tiger 90" an organic approved sulfur product formulated for lowering pH. remember sulfur overdoses can be toxic.
karen tillou
oregon city, OR - zone 8a and wet
I have several blueberry bushes and am going to add several more this spring. I have a ton of natural leaf compost from our yard leaves and can add some peat moss also for organic matter and to help bring ph down. The soil is rich, but too acid--about 6.5 to 6.8 (probably due to adding a lot of horse manure mixed with horse urine. I've had the soil tested and it is very rich, but not acid enough for blueberries. Other plants due well.) The leaf compost is from maple and oak leaves. It is well composted.
Which would be better to add to my soil for organic matter and to bring the ph down into the proper range for blueberries? Peatmoss or leaf compost? Or both? Possibly some sand, also? THe blueberries I have now are doing fair, but not fantastic. I am adding some sulfur also the bring the ph down.
Jerry in southern Indiana
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