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ph in my soil
Bracken1066
Posts: 11
in Fruit & veg
I have just purchased a pH tester. I have tested my soil to find that it is a pH of 5.5. I have some wood ash but I don't know how much to use. I don't know whether it is too late to use it or using it is better now than nothing. Could anyone help me? Thank you in advance.
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I wanted to grow vegetables. The ash is from our wood burner. It is mostly pallets with the odd branch of fallen timber. I do like the idea of blueberries in a small corner but our veg plot is 60x12 feet so that is a lot of blueberries. I have sown brassicas & beans which both prefer alkaline soil. Am I gardening it wrong or can I change the soil pH that much.
Hi, Bracken - The target soil pH for vegetables typically falls between 5.5 and 7.5, although there are a few exceptions.....so yours seems to be satisfactory for most things.
Wood ash contains a certain amount of potash, this is useful for feeding flowers & fruit.
Application rate of your wood ash (providing it isn't contaminated) isn't critical as it contains only small amounts of potash....say 1/2lb per sq yd....you'll need to do the metric conversion.
The main reason for the ash was to raise the pH do you think that the 1/2 lb per square yard would do that. The pH of the ash is over 8
Your pH level (pH = acidity or alkalinity) can be adjusted by using lime or potash. I feel that the insignificant amount of potash present in wood ash wouldn't make much difference. I think applying lime at the rate of about 1.1/2lbs per sq yd would be required.
Having said that, lime is better applied in late winter, not now.
Thank you. But do you think that it is better late than never?
Which is what I said.
Thanks I am here for advice so none taken. No compost ready yet only just started making it.
How much mushroom compost should I get.