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The ABC’s of Great
Gardens, Lawns and Plants
begin with the letters:
“pH” |
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This document is available as a
PDF (portable document file) -
Click Here |
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Homeowners, Master Gardeners, Lawn & Landscape Professionals |
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Even
master gardeners, lawn and landscape professionals sometimes
have to be reminded of the most essential building block in soil
fertility for optimum plant health.
That
is, before the application of fertilizer and other soil
management techniques has any bearing on growth and yield, it's
absolutely critical that the soil pH is right.
Because, as these professionals inevitably discover in their
years of working the ground, if a soil pH is too low (acidic),
fertilizers and other plant-health promoters just don't work
very well. |
| 6.0 Is Ideal
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A
soil's pH—or measure of its relative acidity or alkalinity—has
everything to do with the keys to robust plant growth.
Soil pH
regulates the availability of nutrients, as well as the ability
of a plant's roots to absorb such nutrients, and moisture. Soil
pH also affects the health of microorganisms that improve the
quality of the soil by breaking down certain organic matter.
Fortunately, most lawn and garden soils are naturally in the
proper pH range to promote strong plant health. But, if the
soil's never been tested, or has been cultivated and fertilized
for several years, a new pH test is the wisest decision to make
in any fertility management program.
The
reason is, soils that have been farmed or used for gardening
tend to move into acidity as a result of crop removal of
nutrients, leaching, natural decomposition of organic residues
and, ironically, the application of fertilizers—the very same
input growers expect to enhance plant health and yield.
Fertilizers work hand-in-hand with the soil and, specifically,
its pH, requiring a proper balance to perform. If the pH level
drops below the ideal 6.0, as determined by the U.S. Department
of Agriculture, based on years of research, it can reduce the
effectiveness of fertilizers and plant nutrients, including
nitrogen, phosphorous and molybdenum by as much as 50 percent. |
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Test and Add Aglime |
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In the
garden, 6.0 is ideal, with a few notable exceptions, such as
azaleas and rhododendrons that prefer slightly acidic soils. But
regardless of the plant, for optimum health, it's worth knowing
and, if necessary, altering the soil pH.
It
starts with a simple test, usually available for as low as
$10–$20 through the cooperative extension services at most
universities. For a common-sized home garden, one sample core,
taken at a depth of about six inches, should be sufficient. If
dealing with a large plot of land, one sample per acre is a good
rule.
When
tests show a low soil pH, the solution is equally simple.
Like
basic chemistry, it requires neutralizing the soil acidity with
limestone, often referred to as “aglime” when mined and
processed specifically for agricultural applications.
Aglime
has a multitude of benefits that stem from balancing the soil
pH. Overall, proper aglime
applications have proven to:
• Increase the
efficiency of applied fertilizer nitrogen, phosphorous and
potassium.
• Reduce the
availability of potentially toxic soil components, such as
aluminum and manganese.
• Increase the
activity of soil microbes that break down organic matter.
• Improve the
nitrogen fixation in legume crops, such as peas and beans.
• Provide calcium
and magnesium for plant growth.
• Improve the
physical condition of the soil.
Typically,
working the aglime into the same six-inch depth as that of the
sample taken will do the trick. The key is identifying how much
to apply. Again, quite simple, since results from soil tests
will include suggested application rates. They're based on the
level of acidity and type of soil, as denser clay soils will
require more aglime than lighter sandy soils to achieve the same
change in pH balance. |
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