North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

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

On Jan 9, 2017, at 12:33 AM, Steven Covacci wrote:

> I don't mind
> scattering limestone gravel around for the surface layer.  The last thing
> I'm interested in doing is tilling up acres of ground and destroying,
> simultaneously, acres of meadow habitat.  

Ah, I see. I was confused about why you were so opposed to lime; but you're 
not opposed to lime, you're opposed to tillage on this sort of site. That 
makes sense.

How about incorporating lime through a sizeable planting hole for each 
individual tree, as well as applying some overall on the surface? Others on 
the list, would that work?

And again: test the specific soil on that particular site, don't just look at 
the soil map. And test in several places. You may have some sizeable pockets 
of sweeter soil.

I have certainly had very good flavored peaches from a field testing in the 
low 6's. I don't know about the low 5's; maybe somebody else does.


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