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LinkedInSoil pH Reduction with Organic Amendments
Soil pH along most of the California coast north of Los Angeles ranges between 7.3 and 8, which is generally higher than many edible and ornamental plants prefer. In some cases, availability of micronutrients such as iron is severely limited in soils above pH 8, leading to deficiency symptoms in plants. Other plants such as blueberries, rhododendrons, azaleas, and hydrangeas prefer acidic soil conditions (pH 6 and below).
To investigate potential soil pH reduction over time, UCCE Farm Advisors Jim Downer and Ben Faber applied coffee grounds, lemon waste, peat moss, pine needles, oak leaves, and municipal yardwaste in addition to elemental sulfur to soil with an unadultered pH of 7.8.
Preliminary findings indicate that the combination of organic material plus elemental sulfur reduces pH to a greater degree and more quickly than either the amendment or sulfur alone. We have seen the greatest effect thus far with elemental sulfur plus coffee grounds, chipped lemon waste, or peat moss. the long term trend so far has been none of the organic amendments alone have affected pH much. Traditionally it has been thought that oak leaves, pine needles and coffee grounds should have a significant effect on pH. It does not seem to be the case.
Lemons that are to be ground and spread
Spread coffee grounds
lemon waste
coffee grounds
Comments:
"And there will be the rest of the story". Essentially none of the so-called acidifying materials like pine needles, oak leaves or coffee lowered pH. Peat moss did a bit and the ground lemon peals did for about 3 months then gradually the soil returned to the original pH. Only the sulfur knocked the pH down and kept it down. There will be a fuller explanation in another blog.
Ben
"And there will be the rest of the story". Essentially none of the so-called acidifying materials like pine needles, oak leaves or coffee lowered pH. Peat moss did a bit and the ground lemon peals did for about 3 months then gradually the soil returned to the original pH. Only the sulfur knocked the pH down and kept it down. There will be a fuller explanation in another blog.
Ben
Posted by Marianne Whitehead on February 26, 2017 at 10:26 AM