Soil pH

digital

I'm planning on creating my own semi-organic soil mix in the near future. I've looked at tons of different soil recipes, and I will be assimilating much of the information into my own mix. I only have one question: If, for some reason, I end up with a soil mix that has a pH that is too high or too low, what are my options to bring it back in line? Organic or inorganic is fine, as I'm not too picky. All I ask is that you give me a straight answer, as I've gotten plenty of "Just use FFOF and you don't have to worry about pH" or "Just use my recipe and you don't have to worry about pH" answers that dodge my question.

Thanks.

LookMomNoDealers

In my experience with home made soils using organics the soil pH would tend to be lower rather than higher so I used to add dolomite lime to the mix to balance it out and it worked fine. I'm sure someone with a better knowledge of creating their own medium would be more helpful to you than I am.

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digital

Cool. Thanks for the tip about the lime. I had heard that it could be used as a pH "buffer" but noone had ever clarified that.

jangel

Make sure the lime is Dolomite Lime, available widely. I use it all the time in my soil mix, inside and out. At the rate of one handful per gallon soil mix or so. About a 1/4 cup I think. And post your mix when you have it perfected. Love to hear about it and good luck!

Peat moss will also make your soil more acidic as it breaks down, so be careful of that. That is one reason to use lime. To buffer this problem.

Also, if your soil repels water as some do due to lack of a surfactant, (allows soil to uptake water, breaks surface tension to allow water to be absorbed) then try using SM-90, It does help and aids in root growth.

Peace.

Peace

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digital

Excuse my ignorance, but what kind of product is SM-90? I've never heard of it before.

As for the Dolomitic Lime, this is what I have right now: Espoma Natural Gardening Solutions

The package says it's pelletized dolomite lime, which I've heard is the ideal form.