[Arid_gardener] Re: pH for Vegetables

[Olin Miller]

Most vegetable gardening books give a narrow ideal pH range specific to each
vegetable.    This is based on the nutrient needs of the plant and the
optimum pH range for the availability of the nutrient.  Most fall somewhere
in the range of 5.5 to 7.0 with neutral pH (neither acid nor base) at about
7.0.  There are lots of pH charts on the web and in books for each vegetable
type.  Having the optimum pH is essential to maximize production for
commercial farming but not so important for home gardens because most
vegetables will perform okay with pHs slightly outside of the "optimum "
range.

The pH of your soil is typical for our desert.  I would work in 2 - 4
inches of organic compost , elemental or powdered soil sulfur, and some
agricultural gypsum, according to instructions on the bag or box.  Then wet
it in thoroughly to activate the additives and till it again after a few
weeks before planting and not spend time or money worrying about optimum pH.

Olin Miller, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County AZ
============================================

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <wayjo2 at cox.net>
To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 11:46 AM
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


>
> 85209
> wayjo2 at cox.net
>
>   What is the best acidic level to have in a vegatable garden? The level I
> have is  a 7 or 8. If tht is to high,how can I get it to the right level?