Sulfuric acid

Started trying something a bit different. Using sulfuric (battery) acid for the soil. 

Tested the soil pH the other morning and found it's still sitting around 8.0 in most of the garden. Not much will grow in that besides weeds. The indication here is that the sodium is still extremely high. 

I know there is now lots of calcium in the soil. No small amount of iron. Problem is, it's being bound up or blocked by the sodium. So, did some thinking and then some research. Turns out sulfuric acid can be used for the garden, if done carefully. So, started using that last night. However, the acid is almost instantly neutralized by the alkaline soil. Tested the soil pH this morning and found nearly no change at all. 

Part of the problem may be in the way I applied it. I diluted it quite a bit, enough to apply it with a garden sprayer. Going to have to take a different approach. Going to mix a stronger solution and manually apply it directly between rows. The direct application should help kill weeds in the trenches and any acid not instantly neutralized will seep into the mounds. (Not expecting much of that.) What I am hoping to achieve is dissolving the calcium, which should bind with the sodium and make nutrients more available to the plants. 

I'm also trying using the acid to dissolve the large pieces of gypsum in a plastic tub. (Not a strong enough solution to dissolve the tub.) If that works, I can apply that and it should help bind up more sodium. 

I did make the decision that most of my larger plants will have to be raised in containers this year. However, one section of garden is not yet planted. Actually, it was but nothing grew there. Going to amend that area heavily, treat it with a strong acid solution and see what happens. 

When fall and winter comes, I will be treating the soil heavily with acid multiple times. 

I have worried in the past about over-fertilizing. Not worried about that now. Looks like it's a near impossibility for this soil. Going to have to fertilize heavily this year.

Planting out

Started transplanting out small tomato plants this evening. Not expecting all of this group to make it. Some took some damage from winds the other day. Others look like maybe I overwatered and they damped off. Others I may have waited too long to plant out. While planting out, I used a spoon or so of the water crystals for each one.

I still have more tomato and pepper plants started inside. May still start a few more, just in case. I've gotten over the objection to thinning out plants, obviously. 

While planting, found a really good thing. About 3" down, the soil is retaining moisture. Last time I watered before this was yesterday morning. Two days of retaining moisture at the root zone is the best I have achieved since moving in here. Lots of obvious organic material in the soil at root level, as well. 

I saw some minor improvement in areas where I previously spread the "Gardens Alive Soil Activator". So, went ahead and spread the rest of it over the whole garden this evening. 

Even though I used an extended release fertilizer before planting this year, decided to use some liquid fertilizer this evening. For one thing, I suspect that the seed pods dropped by the elm trees may rob Nitrogen and possibly other nutrients at the soil surface. If I'm right, that has a lot to do with the difficulty of getting shallow direct seeds to germinate in this yard. Even some of the grass which looked green before is looking a little brownish in areas where there are lots of seed pods, even if the grass protrudes through to sunlight. I need to rake them all up but decided to give this a try before doing so. In any case, any seeds at the surface do need additional Nitrogen. The long-acting fertilizer may do some good once roots develop but probably not so much good until then. 

Any way, sprayed the liquid fertilizer for the garden, then ran the sprinklers to seriously saturate the soil. 

Then sprayed the front yard manually with the liquid fertilizer rather thoroughly. Came to realize that since there was at least one large tree near one end of the front yard at one time, there is a good chance the soil is somewhat completely depleted. Several good things, though. The tree was the neighbor's tree. It's dead and has been for a few years. A lot of the roots remain under my soil. As they decay, they will eventually help the soil structure. I did manage to break a lot of the smaller ones into smaller pieces while tilling the front yard. I also tilled in lots of wood chips, fertilizer, sulfur and calcium. The front yard is beginning to look somewhat decent (compared to how it has looked) and flower plants are coming up. Just hoping to get some actual blooms and a fairly even green yard there. 

Rose bushes in front and back are leafing out. Still not sure we'll have any rose this year. A couple of the baby trees are forming leaves as well. Even if I see now flowers from bushes or trees this year, I do hope they develop strong root systems for future years. 

water retaining crystals

I ordered some water retaining crystals for the garden. They're sodium polyacrylate and are the same thing used as instant snow around Christmas. Found a decent deal for them on Amazon, at about $20 for 3 lbs. Doesn't sound like a lot but they seem like they will go quite a way. Plus, they last up to 5 years in the soil. 

Tried testing to see how much water they hold and how much they expand. Very cool! I placed maybe a teaspoon of them in a coffee cup, then added water. Then added more water. Then added more water! They eventually expanded to fill the entire cup to the rim! They may expand more than that but I stopped there, since I was out of room in the cup. (Used those to plant with some flowers I transplanted out.) 

Unfortunately, these crystals are not cheap. Wish I could buy them by the truckload. As it is, I will use most of them to mix in the soil as I plant out items which have been started before planting. 

Been making sure the compost remains damp most of the time. It lacked Nitrogen, so I added some ammonia to the pile this evening, then wet it more. Hope it's ready to use by the time I plant the tomatoes out.

Still haven't gotten the well working. The acid seems to be doing some level of good. Filled the well to the top a few days ago. Where the water level previously remained static, it is now dropping when I fill the well. This morning, I filled the well to the top and added one more gallon of acid. Try pumping it out tomorrow. See how that works. If that doesn't do it, I'll have to get the galvanized pipe soon and try to increase the depth that way. If that doesn't work, I'll have to drive another well. Not fond of that idea. 

I finally have rows of lettuce, broccoli, onions and possibly spinach coming up! Also seeing random corn stalks just peeking through and the beginnings of some pumpkin plants. 

Now have lots of tiny tomato plants started. Quite small at the moment but I was able to move some outside to the mini greenhouses, now sans plastic covers. Been there a few days and getting larger. Once they have more leaves, I'll move them into the garden. 

Still not having any luck with strawberries or blueberries. Only one blueberry plant looks like it's still alive. Maybe 4-5 strawberry plants, still quite small. It's still early in the season, though. Not much is actually green yet but getting there. 

The soil is still not great in many places. I water extensively, then check to see how deep it got. Still much of the problem I had before. Surface is moist, several inches down is moist but in between is completely dry. Unfortunately, it is dry in the most common root zone for any small, developing or shallow-rooted plants. Some areas are getting better, though. Need to finish chipping the rest of the branches and mix the chips into the soil in some spots. That seemed to help the north side of the garden immensely, where the corn and pumpkins are now starting to grow. Soil there appears to be maintaining moisture fairly well. 

After next Tues night, I have a week off. Major priority is going to be getting the rabbit hutch together and moving the rabbits outside. These two are getting on my nerves. Pooping all over the big living room. Snorting. And the smell is awful. I think the female is in heat, which is the main part of the smell. Could be wrong on that but don't think so.  


Getting to bed. Not much sleep today.

Pumping acid

Going to pump the acid out of the well tomorrow. It is Easter, so it will wait until after the egg hunt. 

This is something which I am taking lots of precautions with. This acid is one of the most serious chemicals I have ever worked with, aside from explosives. Not something to take lightly.

Going to make daughter stay inside with doors and windows shut on that side of the house. Prevailing winds blow away from the house. Going to wear proper protective gear, of course. Keep a few things handy. Baking soda, corn starch, ammonia, water hose, cell phone and truck keys. The absolute best feeling you can have with something like this is to be finished and feel like you took too many precautions. And if you ever do it again, take those same precautions. 

I want to get this part done before dropping daughter off at the ex's in the evening. Most home improvement places are over that way. If I need more supplies, can pick them up on the way home and do the work on Monday.

I ordered the shallow well jet to be delivered this week. This one bolts onto the pump housing and increases the pumping pressure which comes out of the pump. Think I should be able to get 50 psi out of it, or at least close.  

Besides, rain is forecast for tomorrow night. Want to give the acid time to evaporate and react with the alkaline soil in the drain pipes. (Since the road sides are unpaved, lots of the native and highly alkaline soil washes into the drains with each rain.) Muriatic acid is also known as hydrochloric acid. Hydrogen and chlorine. Each evaporates very quickly and that negates most of the acidity which isn't counteracted by the soil. Let it mix with active rain and it will remain highly acidic. 

Of course, I'm really hoping this works and no more steps will be needed. 

If it does work, then on Monday I will be working on getting more of the irrigation system up and running and plant the rest of what I can plant right now.

Started a few dozen more seeds the other night. More flowers, peppers and tomatoes. Some earlier tomato plants had gotten large for their small containers, so transplanted them. Get more started this week. From my history, doesn't look like I can actually start too many. 

Things aren't off to the greatest start so far. Major temperature swings messing things up. However, lettuce is starting to grow and I see a few broccoli plants coming up. (Unfortunately, they may start growing now but never produce until fall because of the rapid temperature difference. Freezing 2-3 weeks ago, snowing last week, into the 80's next week.)

One good thing. Rain is forecast several times in the next couple of weeks. Hope it actually happens. Rain this time, not snow. 

Several false starts

Okay, so the daffodils don't look like they'll be blooming any more this year. They bloom once a year and that's it. Trim the flowers off them and any dead tulips and allow them to form more bulbs for next year. Still have mid and late blooms to come in the same patch. 

It snowed a couple of days ago, which did more damage to some plants which had started. However, it had rained all night before snowing in the morning. The deep soaking has done a lot of good through much of the garden and especially for the grass. Paths I had laid out are now becoming recognizable. Some flower seeds are sprouting at this time, so waiting to see some flowers, hopefully soon!

Once I got the well pump set up, it pumped very strongly for a few minutes, then tapered off and went dry. Since I can't get the pipe any deeper, decided to call an expert. They said it sounds like the lower well casing has caved in. Nothing to do but drill another well. However, they were suggesting a shallower well? Hmm. At $800+ for a 2" well and $1600+ for a 4" well, decided instead to try what the next door neighbor suggested. Got a gallon of muriatic acid this morning and poured it down the well. Let that sit for a couple of days, then hook the pump up and pump it out. From the sound of things, this well may be drilled to modern standards and have a screen for a long range of the lower pipe. That screen can clog with sediment and iron decay. Plus there could be other stuff dumped down in there I am not aware of. 

So, if the acid doesn't work, I'll next try getting some galvanized pipe and a well point. Then try simply driving the well point with the pipe deeper into the existing well. 

Several points involved here. One is that I am fully convinced I can get this well to work. Next is the fact that the well company I called has a video inspection rig, which they did not even suggest sending over, even though they are only three blocks away. I had a feeling about them before contacting them in the first place and now it looks like that feeling was correct. Third is the difficulty in getting a permit for a new well. Having a new well drilled, even with a previously existing well on the property, has become much more difficult (and probably expensive) to obtain. Which is stupid because then people are more likely to dump toxic chemicals down their wells to try and save existing wells. Yes, I am doing the same thing but I am going to pump those chemicals out. Some people flush the chemicals downward. 

Okay, have things to do.

A day off

I have the day off and actually got some sleep last night! I was scheduled to work but then they called and canceled me. So, I had some rum&cola, watched CSI online and went back to bed before MN. 

Going to get out shortly and give the well pump another try. Dropped the single pipe earlier in the week, have the well seal in place and all that. Just need to make some adjustments so the pump is sitting at the right height. Then I can give it a go. Wish me luck!

Planted some corn one morning after work. Four types, to see how each one does. Also planted some watermelon, two types but going to add a third once I dig through the seeds. Planted some giant pumpkin, hoping for a real giant this year. 

Lots of things to do today and tomorrow morning. Mostly house cleaning but also need to get out and break down more of those trees in the back. 

The new grass is coming up nicely. More and more each day. Though right now, it still looks patchy. 

Tulips are starting to bloom and several should be fully open by the time daughter gets here tomorrow afternoon. Daffodils had started off strongly, then we had frost one night and flowers were destroyed. I dead-headed them but I don't know if that works for them. I'll look it up and see.

Get moving here in a second.

No luck

No luck on the well pump so far. Got the pipe jet. It wouldn't fit. Looks like the pipes are not aligned properly and it hits a ledge which it won't sink past. Going to try straight pipe and see how it goes. If that doesn't work, I'll have to hire a professional to get it going, if that's possible. 

Got the north garden plowed yesterday. Plowed it at right angles to the south garden, so this side is facing north/south instead of east/west. Planted some strawberries, corn and pumpkin seeds in a few rows but waiting for soil to settle before planting the rest. 

A few things seem to be sprouting now. Mostly onions and broccoli. The new grass is coming up! Tulips and daffodils are blooming a little. Think I should have a few tulips in full bloom by this weekend, when daughter is here. 

The mini greenhouses don't seem to be working out too well. Weather was too cold for a while, now gets too hot. This can happen in the same 24 hour period. Can remove the covers and just use them as seed starting shelves, I guess. Glad I got them on sale.

Not a lot of time to work on things around here this week, again. My own fault. I had four days scheduled off and signed on to work two of them. That's two 60 hour weeks in a row. The money will be nice but I'm starting to feel it, especially with allergies kicking in. Not going to complain about it, just get it all done when I can.  

Oops!

Yeah, one of the reasons I want that pump going is because I tend to be forgetful. Tonight, I accidentally left the water running for some time. Not that it's likely to do much damage to the soil here but can sure get expensive. 

Still frustrated with shipping. Funny how I can order computer parts and they ship the following day, even the same day. Order a foot valve and it takes 5 days before it's boxed and sent? I've already received computer parts which I ordered on Sun or Mon. The foot valve, from date of order to delivery? Twelve days. Still no tracking number issued for the pipe jet, ordered 4-5 days ago. 

Expected delivery for most items is early next week. At that point, I'll be in the process of working five 12 hour shifts in a row. Just as well. I'll work on building a support stand for the pump. 

Still, starting to see a sprout here and there where I've been watering consistently. Lots more flowers growing up from bulbs. Daughter should be happy that her daffodils are coming up. 

Finally got some blueberry bushes today from WalMart. They're still under $5 each. Got 3 but may get more at a later date, if they're not sold out. Have to condition the soil before I plant them. 

Looks like the flowering trees should arrive in the next week or two. I still have some cutting to do on the old trees before planting the new ones.

Well pump arrived but..

The well pump arrived today. Looks like it should do the job! It's three times the size of the previous pump and over 40 lbs. 

However, I'm still waiting on a new foot valve to arrive. Old one isn't big enough. Have to get new, larger pipes and fittings. After considering it, did some financial calculations, then ordered the pipe jet today. Figure even if the pump will function without it, the jet will increase flow and pressure. 

I have to install electrical cable. Most pumps get attached to control boxes but I'm using an outdoor timer. So, I can use an outdoor extension cord, cut off one end and attach that. 

Still need to install an electrical outlet in the front of the house for the pump. Won't take long, as I have the wiring running to it in place inside. Just been putting it off until I get a pump up and working. It would somehow be depressing to see the outlet installed on the wall and no pump to plug in. 

Moved all the smaller plants/seedlings/starter seeds out into the mini greenhouses yesterday. Today, I moved the dormant tomatoes out next to them. Free up some room in the office and give the plants more sunlight. Reduce the need for hardening off later. As their transplant time grows near, I'll just leave the flaps open to let them adjust to the lower ambient humidity. 

Only a couple of the Butterfly Bush seeds are sprouting so far. That figures. Something considered invasive in some places is going to be difficult for me to grow. 

Daughter and I have been seeing bees and butterflies in the yard. Today, she saw a wasp. Got a hanger for the hummingbird feeder today. Put the feeder out tomorrow or this weekend. 

Got some more chipping done today. Harder to quantify because the downed trees at the back of the yard are lying on top of and entwined with each other. So it's more a matter of working on multiple trees at once. What I can say is that there is a visible difference.

I'm glad weather is warming up and the time has changed. Means I'll have more chance to work on things outside in the mornings, after work. 

Or inside. I hate waiting for the house to warm up before I really feel like doing much. By then, I'm tired and ready to sleep. I really need to get some insulating and solar heating projects done this summer, before cold weather returns. I want this house to be warm all next winter without breaking the bank to do it. Take some work but I can manage it.

Two trees reduced

Making this a short entry.

Got two of the downed trees reduced today. Used chain saw to cut larger pieces, loppers to trim smaller branches and then ran the smaller ones through the chipper. Cut some of the other trees into smaller pieces, so they should go a bit faster. 

It's actually rather surprising how small the wood chip pile from the two trees is. However, they are small chips. Can adjust the chipper to make larger ones but decided to keep them small for faster composting purposes. 

Larger pieces will go into a pile to cure for the time being. Once I get smaller things cleared out of the way. May just wind up giving much of it away later. Unless I get a fireplace insert or wood stove. Wait and see.