I took a soil sample yesterday using one of the Rapitest products. The pH shows that my soil is very alkaline with a pH of 8.0. Now that the garden is empty until spring, it seems like a good time to adjust the soil pH.
I have read that you can either use aluminum sulfate or sulfur to lower the pH. Does anyone have any experience in using these products? Again, the garden is currently empty. It will not have plants in it for about 6 months.
My soil (and water) are alkaline also. Neutral is 7.0 so I wouldn't consider 8.0 too bad. I have known others in my area that have added garden sulfer to make the soil more neutral. However, if your garden did well this season I wouldn't mess with it. How did your garden do? Nothing in nature is perfect and things still grow. I just know, from personal experience, that I would add too much then end up adding lime and when all was said and done I would be back at 8.0 or worse.
Lisa
The garden did really well, but this past year was my first year growing anything. When I first planted in May, I took a soil test and my soil was much more balanced with a pH of 6.5 or so. Is this normal for the pH to fluctuate so much in just a few months?
kbumgar, no, it is not normal for soil to change pH in such a short time. It sounds to me like you need to do another test, or you test kit is old, or even better have your Ag Office do a soil test for you. Those Rapitest kits are well known for being a bit off kilter and tricky...I'd start with another test. And be sure to mix soil samples from at least 3 areas, not just take a sample from where-ever you happen to be standing at the time.
I also wouldn't add any sulfur or anything until you take more tests or have a professional test. It really takes a long time to make pH changes in your soil with amendments, even longer to change them back.
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