My soil is alkaline and I'm completely incompetent....what do I do?

[congodwarf]

Well, not completely incompetent. More like broke, and unknowledgeble. Basically, I've been removing "grass" (we grow weeds and moss) from a long strip of my yard and I just tested the soil using 2 methods (a soil tester thingie with 2 prongs and the test tube with capsule of white stuff) and both say that without a doubt, my soil has a pH of 8. My goal is to have this strip prepped for planting a row of peonies this fall.

So, what do I have to do? What's relatively cheap (preferably free)? I'm totally new to this gardening thing and the only thing I'm having success with so far is hostas but according to my boyfriend's dad, they'll grow on rocks after being left in a dark and dank garage for 3 years so the fact that they're growing doesn't exactly make me a gardener.


I've been told many different ways to reduce my pH but they typically involve spending lots of money on fancy schmancy man-made things. I'd really prefer to avoid putting chemicals on my lawn if I can avoid it. My uncle mentioned using lemon juice in water but just how many lemons will I need for 45'x3' and how long will it take and how long will it stay that pH?

If I successfully get it to the pH I want, will it be constantly fighting me in an attempt to return to its original pH? Should I just plant a rock garden?


I know that we have some incredibly smart and creative people here who love to garden so I'm looking for all kinds of ideas for dealing with my pH problem - preferably ideas that require very little money, very little in the way of chemicals, and will have my soil ready by the fall.

[aruvqan]

Hm, I seem to recall that pine needles are fairly acid, how about finding someone with pine trees and digging up some soil and needles from underneath and tilling it in? You could also blenderize a large bag of lemons or some other citrus fruit and use that as a soil admix as well.

Is peat acid or alkaline? I know that is a fairly common admix as well.

[SeldomSeen]

The treatment par excellence for alkaline soil is shit. Literally. Steer manure, and lots of it, tilled in well. Chicken, horse, and other by-products work OK too, but be sure they're well-rotted, or they may be too "hot" the first year. The steer manure you buy in garden centers is usually well-composted, screened and free of weed seeds which is a plus.

If you decide to go with a commercial fertilizer, ammonium sulfate is good for treating alkalinity.
SS

[Jackmannii]

I'd forget the lemon juice/lemon idea.

For one thing, can you be absolutely sure your soil is that alkaline, when you describe moss growing on it (the great majority of the time, moss thrives in acidic conditions)?

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/l...170823473.html

Aluminum sulfate and sulfur are soil additives commonly used to lower soil pH, and they shouldn't be all that expensive. The bonus is that you can calculate how much to add to get a specific pH reduction:

http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgi.../hgic1650.html

To be sure about what your soil needs, consider having your nearest state university extension service test your soil for pH and other characteristics.

[carnut]

I've been told there is not a lot of evidence that pine needles work well. However they make a great mulch in my alkaline soil so I use them anyway. Use pine needles as mulch and then cover it with manure to weigh it down and add more acidity.

SS described the manure tactic above. I tend to prefer, umm, fresher manure but not so fresh that the flies are still swarming it.

[congodwarf]

The moss doesn't grow there, only the weeds and the occasional blade of grass. That area is one of the few that gets a decent amount of sun. The moss grows in half of my back yard and about 5' out from my house in the front yard - all the shady areas. I haven't tested those areas because I'm not planting in them.

[congodwarf]

I will look into the cost of manure. There's a horse riding school around the corner from me. I wonder what they do with their shit.


I am actually a student at UConn's school of agriculture but not in a plant or live animal major so I don't know exactly what they have for soil testing but if anyone would have something, it'd be them. I'll give the school a call tomorrow to find out what they can help me with.

[congodwarf]

I checked the school website. The department of plant science does soil testing. I'm not sure if it's necessary to be a CT resident (which I'm not) but I'll find out. It'd be nice to know what's going on in my dirt.


I'm liking the suggestions though so please keep them coming!

[Vicullum]

Maybe you can try turning your dirt into Terra Preta? If it can improve the poor soil in the Amazon maybe it'll work on your patch of ground.

[Jeff Lichtman]

Be careful about the manure from the riding school. Manure should be composted (or "rotted" - a wonderful term) before using it as a soil amendment. Uncomposted manure can harm roots.

Compost will help lower the pH of your soil, but it tends to work slowly. If I were you, I would use aluminum sulfate as a quick fix, and dig in a lot of compost as more of a long-term solution.

[aruvqan]

Originally Posted by congodwarf

I checked the school website. The department of plant science does soil testing. I'm not sure if it's necessary to be a CT resident (which I'm not) but I'll find out. It'd be nice to know what's going on in my dirt.


I'm liking the suggestions though so please keep them coming!

If you need a CT resident, I am one, I would be happy to help out =)

[purplehorseshoe]

Coffee grounds are acidic, and cheap or free if you or someone you know is addicted. In addition, googling "plants alkaline soil" turns up a lot of options that will grow for you, depending on your zone (local climate).

[Turble]

I suggest you do the university soil test. You might be able to finagle one where you attend school but if not, it is only $10 from the University of Massachusetts. The test results will tell you exactly how much of what to add to your soil.

BTW, unless that plot of land had been used for something other than a lawn, I think it would be pretty unusual for your soil to be alkaline; acidic soil is much more common in the northeast. I am in PA and got my soil tested three years ago; they told me to add (among other things) 55 pounds of lime per 1,000 square feet twice a year for three years. I now have by far the greenest healthiest lawn in the neighborhood.

[congodwarf]

Thanks aru!


Coffee grounds are definitely not a problem in this household. If I get my boyfriend's parents and my sister to send me theirs to add to ours, I'd probably have enough for my entire lawn.



As far as I know, this lawn has never been used for anything but grass and I don't think the grass was deliberate. It's in pretty sorry shape. My neighbors have to mow at least once a week. We might have to mow once a month - if it rains a lot.


Some areas of the lawn have beautiful dark soil with tons of worms and other bugs. The worms in this patch of soil look anorexic and the only other bugs are grubs. It doesn't help that this patch borders the driveway. We don't put Ice Melt along that portion of the driveway but the last guy might have.

[Jeff Lichtman]

Originally Posted by congodwarf

. . . It doesn't help that this patch borders the driveway. . .

Is it possible that the concrete from the driveway is leaching into the soil? That would account for the alkalinity.

[Aestivalis]

Starbucks and other coffee shops may give away their coffee grounds for free. Just go ahead and dump them on, since you've got full sun they'll dry out quickly. Then dig or rake them in periodically.

[purplehorseshoe]

Originally Posted by congodwarf

...Coffee grounds are definitely not a problem in this household. If I get my boyfriend's parents and my sister to send me theirs to add to ours, I'd probably have enough for my entire lawn.

Probably not a bad idea, at least in moderation (once or twice a year). Sprinkling a thin layer of compost over the whole lawn before a rainstorm will help a great deal as well.

Originally Posted by congodwarf

...Some areas of the lawn have beautiful dark soil with tons of worms and other bugs. The worms in this patch of soil look anorexic and the only other bugs are grubs. . .

Can you plant the peonies where the soil is better instead of by the driveway?

Side note: I've gotten into the habit of setting grubs onto the flat cover of the grill. The blue jays and mockingbirds, in turn, have gotten into the habit of keeping an eye on me when I'm outside digging.

[congodwarf]

Originally Posted by purplehorseshoe

Can you plant the peonies where the soil is better instead of by the driveway?

Unfortunately no. Our lot is mostly wooded and there a huge limit to the areas of my lawn that actually get sunlight at all. The only other place with enough sunlight is too close to the arborvites and they kill anything that tries to encroach on their territory.

[purplehorseshoe]

Fair enough, but you might want to look into anger management therapy for those shrubs when you have a little spare cash.

[congodwarf]

Ha! Shrubs. Don't I wish. They're taller than my house. They're ugly and huge and murderous and for some reason my neighbor is surprised that I want to cut them down.

[ExcitedIdiot]

Originally Posted by congodwarf

. I'd really prefer to avoid putting chemicals on my lawn if I can avoid it.

No need to fear chemicals, your lawn is already being sprayed with dihydrogen monoxide on a regular basis.

[congodwarf]

You're funny. I actually pulled that trick on my mom and stepfather last week.

[Voyager]

Originally Posted by congodwarf

I will look into the cost of manure. There's a horse riding school around the corner from me. I wonder what they do with their shit.

I built my garden on horse poop. The soil started out horrible, full of clay, but it is now wonderful. It takes a few years, though.
When my daughter rode we drove our truck out to the barn and filled up plastic bags. They have to pay to get it carted away, so they will probably be thrilled if you ask. I solved the composting problem by digging into the middle of the pile where the poop is more mature, and also by adding it the fall before I planted. Never had a problem.

[ExcitedIdiot]

Originally Posted by congodwarf

You're funny. I actually pulled that trick on my mom and stepfather last week.

It's funny, but it also makes a point. Chemicals are everywhere, in labs and in nature. Thinking anything that's a chemical is bad is just plain wrong. The chemicals in fertilizers and other treatments are things already present in healthy soil.

[purplehorseshoe]

Oh, about those trees/shade - a good arborist can prune back the old/dead/crossed/unnecessary branches which results in a) healthier trees, and b) more sun getting to the plants underneath. Just sumpin' to consider.

Here are some guides to other shade-tolerant plants for your area.