Soil de-acidificationis an important procedure in the cultivation of garden plants. Most plants like soil with a pH close to neutral (pH 6.5 - 7.2).If the soil is too acidic , these plants cannot get the nutrients they need, grow poorly and get sick. Seewhat to deacidify the soilandwhen to perform the deacidification treatmentso that it will bring the greatest benefits in the garden.
When and with what to deacidify the soil?
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When is soil deacidification necessary?
Soil pH measurement can be performed with an acid meter or by submitting soil samples for laboratory analysis.If the soil pH is lower than recommended for plants grown in the garden, deacidification should be performed .
The need to de-acidify the soil in the gardencan also be informed by weeds growing exclusively on acidic soils.Indicator plants growing on acidic soils are:field sorrel, sorrel, field dandelion, coltsfoot, meadow foxtail, daisies, chorion goshawk, field pyrethrum, field spore, annual June. The presence of these weeds is asign that the soil must be deacidified
If we are going to grow vegetables, it is worth paying attention to the fact that the recommended soil pH for vegetables is usually in the range of 6.0-6.5. The high content of calcium in the soil ensures the proper level of nutrition for most vegetable plants, thereforein the case of soil preparation for vegetable cultivation, the treatment of soil deacidification is very important
However, there are plants that require acidic soils and only grow well on such soils. Therefore,soil deacidification is not performed in the cultivation ofsuch plants as: blueberry, rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, and conifers. For the sake of these plants, it is often necessary to do the opposite, i.e. acidify the soil.
When and how to soil acidification?
The soil can be de-acidified in two periods:
- in autumn after harvesting the plot,
- in the spring before the start of the cultivation.
We perform soil de-acidification treatment at least 3-4 weeks before the planned sowing of seeds or planting of plantsDepending on the pH of the soil, appropriately selected doses of fertilizers are applied. Spread the fertilizers evenly over the soil surface and mix it with the top layer of soil if possible.
How to deacidify the soil?
Calcium fertilizers can be used to deacidify the soil , which are divided into carbonate and oxygen fertilizers.
Oxide calcium fertilizers(containing CaO, e.g. quicklime) are better used on heavy soils. They must be dosed very accurately and used with caution, because they react very quickly, which can harm the plants.
Therefore, in amateur crops in gardens and everywhere on light soils, it is recommended toslow-acting carbonate fertilizers(containing CaCO3e.g. agricultural ground limestone or fertilizer chalk) .
The deacidifying properties of calcium fertilizersare also determined by the degree of their grinding. And so, the finer the ground fertilizer, the more de-acidifying the soil.
Granulated chalk lime can be purchased most often in garden shops for soil deacidification. It is a product containing 48% of total calcium oxide (CaO in the form of calcium carbonate). Such lime has a positive effect on the physical properties of the soil, and its use additionally improves its structure. An interesting proposition for soil deacidification is also a fertilizer combining the action of granulated lime with humic acids and beneficial microorganisms, the so-calledLime microflora 3in1 (new from Florovit).
Dolomitecan also be used to deacidify the soil, which also supplies a lot of magnesium. Dolomite is a natural calcium fertilizer obtained from grinding calcium and magnesium rocks.By de-acidifying the soil with dolomite, we additionally improve its aeration and water capacity.Dolomite works slowly, improving the soil structure and creating favorable conditions for the development of microorganisms. In the case of ground dolomite, doses of 0.8-2.1 kg per 10m² should be used. The amount, of course, depends on the pH and type of soil as well as its magnesium content, and the exact dosage recommendations can be found on the fertilizer packaging.
The soil can be de-acidified using wood ash.It has in its composition from 20 to 50% calcium carbonate, and additionally contains phosphorus. It is best to use wood ash as a fertilizer in early spring, but remember not to sprinkle it on any germinating plants that can harm them.If our soil is very acidic, the ash dose is 80g per 1 m². Mix the ash with the top layer of soil to a depth of 10 cm.
Fantastic new solution!
Recently, thenew, very easy way to deacidify the soil in the gardenis available for gardeners. It is a soil deacidifier. PH + substrate, which is used similarly to a soluble fertilizer.
The contents of the package, i.e. 100 ml of the preparation, should be mixed with 10 liters of water. You can water a 10m² of garden with this. This should increase the soil reaction by +1 pH (the obtained result may, however, slightly differ depending on the type and structure of the soil in the garden).
In this way, we can prepare the land for the cultivation of vegetables and fruit trees, as well as water shrubs and trees already growing in the garden. It's also a fantastic way to get rid of the moss on your lawn, which is usually caused by an overly acidic soil.
The use deacidifies pH + is much easier than liming and brings faster results . Especially if we do not know what type of lime to choose and in what doses to use it. The pH + deacidifier, prepared especially for gardeners, frees us from this type of dilemma.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
