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UNDERSTANDING ALKALINE SOILS
* These are usually shallow soils overlying chalk or limestone, dry and hungry. Although calcium is itself a nutrient it lacks, or 'locks-up' others plant essential, especially iron, manganese and magnesium.
* There is an alkaline clay soil , which is a sticky, limy clay.
* Old gardens may be very alkaline if vegetables have been grown over many years and a lot of lime has been added on a regular basis.
* Improve by breaking up underlying rock to facilitate drainage; add coarse compost, animal manure, chicken manure, spent hops, seaweed, composted bracken baled straw, & garden compost. Retain nutrients by using green manures on open ground in winter.
* Avoid bring subsoil to the surface if digging, and never lime an alkaline soil.
* Plant suitable plants, there are very many, Make life easier for yourself & give the lime-haters a miss at least in the open ground!
* Many plants need lime e.g. peas & beans. and many other to very well.
* There are now many fertilisers & composts made to cater for the needs of ericaceous plants, either in the ground or in containers.
Most plants will tollerate some lime so it is easier to get a good idea of the much fewer that do not. These are some of the plants which will not thrive on chalk or limestone. Many make excellent pot plants, and can be grown in large containers and/or raised beds using ericaceous compost.
(S.Lord - Create Your Own Paradise - www.se.lord.freeuk.com) |