pH....too low for this year?

[birdermom]

Just got my soil sample back and in one area where I am putting in a new garden the pH is 5.2. How is this going to affect my ability to grow vegetables and is there any way to raise it enough for this growing season? I have read that quite a few vegetables are ok in 5.5...to 6 or so. It has been suggested that I just put blueberries here but with limited space and areas of sunlight I need to have this for tomatoes, etc.... I know lime is an answer but will I be able to use the area this year or will I have to wait for the lime to raise the pH.

[Stvrob]

Lime works quickly. what kind of soil do you have?

[Worth1]

Don't over do it tomatoes like soil on the acid side.
6 or so.

Worth

[birdermom]

My soil tends to have clay. This area was a yard area with whatever grass would grow. They gave a lime recommendation so I guess I will apply asap.

[Stvrob]

Originally Posted by birdermom

My soil tends to have clay. This area was a yard area with whatever grass would grow. They gave a lime recommendation so I guess I will apply asap.

Yes. Clay soil is harder to change the ph than sandy soil. What was their lime recommendation?

[birdermom]

They recommended per acre....would have to do math for my small plot. 3 tons/ac for agricultural, farm. My space only about 20 by 20....Will have to work out per square foot.

[birdermom]

I think 1 ton/acre is .05lb/sq ft...so .15lb/sq ft....400 sq ft...60lbs. Sounds like lots...

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by birdermom

They recommended per acre....would have to do math for my small plot. 3 tons/ac for agricultural, farm. My space only about 20 by 20....Will have to work out per square foot.

If my math is right it comes up to 5.5 pounds.

Someone please check.

Square foot in acre 43,560.
Square foot in your garden 400.
Pounds of lime for acre 6,000
Worth

[birdermom]

Yours sounds better...

[Stvrob]

3 tons/ acre right? 6000 lb/43,560 ft²=.14 lb/ft² or about 55 lbs for your 20x20 garden. A 40 lb bag is only about $5.00

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by birdermom

Yours sounds better...

I cant come up with the same number again I'm tired I guess.

[birdermom]

Ok...I was right. I had forgotten how 'heavy' a bag of lime was.

[Redbaron]

I'll probably regret this post, but I get about 30-40 pounds +/-.

3 tons/ acre = 6000 pounds/acre = 6000 pounds/43,560 sq feet = .1377 pounds/sq feet

.1377 lbs/sq ft X 400 sq ft = 55 pounds

BUT you don't want to go completely to Ph 7....closer to 6, so estimating ~ 30 - 40 lbs +/-. That should leave it slightly acidic and in the optimum range for tomatoes.

[Worth1]

I found this nifty calculator on line.

It will let you adjust to what PH you want and not someones recommendation.

I like it.
It says I would need 42.4 pounds of lime to raise the ph from 5.5 to 6.5 to 6.8 in clay soil in a 400 square foot garden.

Worth
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...,d.eXY&cad=rja

[Stvrob]

I assumed the limestone recommendation was to bring the pH up into the 6's for general gardening. In any case, a single 40 lb bag is a nice even number!