Did a few random checks of the soil pH this morning. The acid and sulfur are beginning to have an effect! Yay! Mostly it is still around 7 but a few spots are down to around 6.5. That's perfect for many plants in the garden. Few others will survive in that pH but need lower to thrive. For the sake of companion planting, I'm shooting for 6.5 through most of the garden.
One of the best parts of this news is that it also means the sodium has been counteracted in the areas which show an improved pH. I know it's a battle which will continue but at this point, I'm finally winning it.
Countering the sodium means more nutrients become available to anything growing. So I won't have to fertilize quite as much. I am going to continue fertilizing fairly heavily for the moment, just to get things off to a good start.
Another positive is that the acid is also doing a great job of breaking down the gypsum board. Where it took weeks for gypsum to dissolve in plain water, it is taking only days with the acid. Even the paper lining is breaking down easily. Daughter and I broke up some gypsum boards on Sat or Sun, filled the tub with a water/acid solution and let it sit. This morning, I took a shovel to mix it up and much of it has turned to mush already. Of course, the paper doesn't break down as readily as the gypsum does but I can strain the large pieces of paper out and add them to the compost.
I spread the previous batch out before we filled the tub up. Going to spread this batch out this week and start a new one. It actually makes a fairly good mulch. Looks a little funny for now but dissolves into the soil with each watering.
Tomato plants which I did this near seem to be perking up. This week, going to spread it around the corn and pumpkin plants. Also around some of the small trees.
Next batch will probably be spread in the front yard. The grass once again just looks rather tragic. At least the sunflowers are coming up nicely! Or I'll try using the liquid in the garden sprayer or a sprinkler can and water the front yard. Doesn't last as long but avoids all the odd looking white chunks everywhere. Can put a ring of the mush around the rose bushes and it won't look quite as odd. Especially if I cover that with compost.
Hmm. Using that approach, I'll change plans and use next batch for the bare area in the far west back yard. Going to apply one more highly acidic solution to that area this week to kill off remaining weeds. Next week, till in compost, the remaining wood chips and the gypsum mush. Probably give it a couple of days to rest and then spread more grass and flower seed in various areas.
Found a guy who advertises he will sink a 2" well for $550. Going to give him a call. Since the old well is kaput, I'll just get a new well sunk in the back yard instead of the front. Haven't decided on exact placement yet. Want it somewhat near the house, so I don't have to run underground conduit and it will also supply the planned waterfall.
Have to get ready for work.
One of the best parts of this news is that it also means the sodium has been counteracted in the areas which show an improved pH. I know it's a battle which will continue but at this point, I'm finally winning it.
Countering the sodium means more nutrients become available to anything growing. So I won't have to fertilize quite as much. I am going to continue fertilizing fairly heavily for the moment, just to get things off to a good start.
Another positive is that the acid is also doing a great job of breaking down the gypsum board. Where it took weeks for gypsum to dissolve in plain water, it is taking only days with the acid. Even the paper lining is breaking down easily. Daughter and I broke up some gypsum boards on Sat or Sun, filled the tub with a water/acid solution and let it sit. This morning, I took a shovel to mix it up and much of it has turned to mush already. Of course, the paper doesn't break down as readily as the gypsum does but I can strain the large pieces of paper out and add them to the compost.
I spread the previous batch out before we filled the tub up. Going to spread this batch out this week and start a new one. It actually makes a fairly good mulch. Looks a little funny for now but dissolves into the soil with each watering.
Tomato plants which I did this near seem to be perking up. This week, going to spread it around the corn and pumpkin plants. Also around some of the small trees.
Next batch will probably be spread in the front yard. The grass once again just looks rather tragic. At least the sunflowers are coming up nicely! Or I'll try using the liquid in the garden sprayer or a sprinkler can and water the front yard. Doesn't last as long but avoids all the odd looking white chunks everywhere. Can put a ring of the mush around the rose bushes and it won't look quite as odd. Especially if I cover that with compost.
Hmm. Using that approach, I'll change plans and use next batch for the bare area in the far west back yard. Going to apply one more highly acidic solution to that area this week to kill off remaining weeds. Next week, till in compost, the remaining wood chips and the gypsum mush. Probably give it a couple of days to rest and then spread more grass and flower seed in various areas.
Found a guy who advertises he will sink a 2" well for $550. Going to give him a call. Since the old well is kaput, I'll just get a new well sunk in the back yard instead of the front. Haven't decided on exact placement yet. Want it somewhat near the house, so I don't have to run underground conduit and it will also supply the planned waterfall.
Have to get ready for work.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment