View Single Post
Old November 5, 2010   #7
wmontanez
Tomatovillian™
 
wmontanez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MA
Posts: 776
Default

Actually baking soda is a base and would increase the pH and total alkalinity of the water. If the pH less than 7 (neutral) then would be usefull (wood ash also works in that sense to increase pH of the soil plus adds calcium, phosphate, boron etc). When the pH is above 7 you want some acid.

I am not a commercial grower just a hobby organic gardener. The total organic matter is low at 2.2% try to increase to at least 5% by adding compost and plan on adding green manures in the future to increase the organic matter after the initial amendments.

www.umassvegetable.org/soil_crop_pest_mgt/soil_nutrient_mgt/soil_basics_I.html


This link is useful information about soil basics from my extension office. That material should give you some fundamental knowledge for the future.
These guys at UMASS-Amherst send at least organic amendment recommendations with their soil test analysis. Perhaps you could consult them. Good luck with your organic farm!
__________________
Wendy
wmontanez is offline   Reply With Quote