North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Road's End Farm <organic87@frontiernet.net>]

If the primary problem is the acidity level, not the drainage, I actually 
wouldn't be too worked up about that. It's much easier to raise pH than it is 
to lower it. Lime will need to be applied from time to time, but it's 
unlikely to be needed every year. Getting it worked through the soil takes 
time, especially if you're not tilling; but you could probably get some of it 
worked in while digging planting holes.

Get a good soil test done on the specific site -- that's how you know how 
much to apply; there is definitely such a thing as too much -- and get 
another one done about every three years, to check when and whether you need 
more. For orchards generally you should do a subsoil sample as well as a 
sample taken nearer the surface. Your county extension office should be able 
to give you instructions for taking the samples, and may even be able to do 
the tests.

Check what type of lime you should be applying -- some limes are high in 
magnesium, for instance, and some soils are already naturally high in it also 
-- you need a complete soil test, not just one for pH. And check what pH is 
recommended for the particular species you're planting -- quite a lot of 
fruits (and for that matter vegetables) either prefer or comfortably tolerate 
a slightly acidic soil.

Composting will also help; but I wouldn't dump a lot of wood on the site and 
plant shortly thereafter -- in the process of breaking down the wood will 
temporarily tie up a lot of nitrogen. If you've got an area you expect to 
plant in eventually but not for some years, you could spread high-cellulose 
stuff over there. If you'd be living there and heating with a wood stove, 
note that wood ash will also raise pH, as well as return some other nutrients 
to the soil.


-- Rivka; Finger Lakes NY, Zone 6A now I think
Fresh-market organic produce, small scale