Understanding ph.

[Lindalana]

ok, the way I understand ph is not that important when you garden organically with adding compost etc. It is not that plants like acid soil for example, it is that specific nutrients are avail more at certain ph level...Plants will figure out how to correct it and get nutriens as long as they are present.
With using chemical stuff etc ph becomes more important although not always informative without good soil test...

[Fusion_power]

Linda, plant ability to absorb nutrients is genetically determined. For example, pine trees have an exceptional ability to pull nutrients from even the worst caliche clay. Legumes secrete their own acid to boost nutrient availability giving them a distinct advantage in calcareous soils. What you describe as "not that important" is far more important to a tomato plant. Adding organic nutrients happens to do two very important things by adding an abundance of slow release nutrients and naturally buffering soil ph. The article I linked talks quite a bit about humate which is released from organic matter as it decays. Humate is what makes nutrients more available in organically amended soil.

[Cole_Robbie]

Not to deny the importance of genetics and chemistry, but what about the impact of beneficial bacteria and fungi on nutrient uptake? Could that be the wild card that explains why organic gardeners care less about ph?

[Fusion_power]

Bacteria and fungi are busy digesting the organic matter in the soil and making it available to plants. That is why we call soil an ecosystem. Organic matter plus bacteria, fungi, and other soil microorganisms produce chemical forms of nutrients which plants absorb. Along the way, they release humate which is so effective at making the nutrients stay soluble and available to the plants. When the plants die, they provide food for the bacteria and fungi. Adding organics to the soil supercharges the process. Solar energy is the power source that drives the process. Plant leaves are mini solar collectors turning light energy into chemical energy which is exploited either direct or indirect by almost all living organisms. Animals are important because they produce carbon dioxide. Plants absorb the carbon dioxide, combine with water, and complete the cycle by breaking the weak hydrogen bonds of the water and releasing oxygen which animals need to live.

[AlittleSalt]

Originally Posted by Fusion_power

Bacteria and fungi are busy digesting the organic matter in the soil and making it available to plants. That is why we call soil an ecosystem. Organic matter plus bacteria, fungi, and other soil microorganisms produce chemical forms of nutrients which plants absorb. Along the way, they release humate which is so effective at making the nutrients stay soluble and available to the plants. When the plants die, they provide food for the bacteria and fungi. Adding organics to the soil supercharges the process. Solar energy is the power source that drives the process. Plant leaves are mini solar collectors turning light energy into chemical energy which is exploited either direct or indirect by almost all living organisms. Animals are important because they produce carbon dioxide. Plants absorb the carbon dioxide, combine with water, and complete the cycle by breaking the weak hydrogen bonds of the water and releasing oxygen which animals need to live.

Your reply describes what organic gardening is supposed to be all about. Countless publications, videos, organic sites and especially organic forums seem to forget this. Organic gardening is actually basically free or of very low cost if you understand the quote above.

Thank you for posting your reply.

[Lindalana]

Fusion power, thanks so much for explanations!

[peebee]

So, I am inspired to have my soil tested for the first time ever, after my solarization and then cover crops are done (also first time attempts).
What is a good basic soil test I can readily online or at a store?

[Tracydr]

Originally Posted by peebee

So, I am inspired to have my soil tested for the first time ever, after my solarization and then cover crops are done (also first time attempts).
What is a good basic soil test I can readily online or at a store?

Check your state extension agency. I just sent mine in to NC extension service and they do most testing free.

[drew51]

Originally Posted by Lindalana

ok, the way I understand ph is not that important when you garden organically with adding compost etc. It is not that plants like acid soil for example, it is that specific nutrients are avail more at certain ph level...Plants will figure out how to correct it and get nutriens as long as they are present.
With using chemical stuff etc ph becomes more important although not always informative without good soil test...

Could you please tell that to my blueberries? They want a 4.5 PH otherwise they strike. they also recruited the strawberries and raspberries whom prefer a lower Ph too! I need some union busting here!