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Kiel WI

My soil test shows a high pH, and I'm planning on using ag sulfur to lower it. I called the local co-op/feedmill, and they seemed stumped and told me to go to Fleet Farm. No dice at Fleet, so I went to a greenhouse/gift shop. They had small bags(2# for $6), but said they had pulled the larger bags due to meth labs! I was then watched very closely until I left.

Any one else run into this? Where can I get 15+ lbs.?

3/25/2006 9:26:44 PM

[email protected]

$3.00 per POUND?????!!!!!?????!!!!!

YIKES!!! I sell 50 lb bags for $15.00 ROFLMAO

That's some snappy good margin if they can get it.

However the fright to WI by UPS might be a little much. The box we'd have to ship it in would be worth as much as the Sulfur. Keep looking. Somebody stocks sulfur at reasonable prices near you.

3/25/2006 9:57:51 PM

I get alot of help from the Universtiy Extension on all my "strange" requests here,,they look at it(and me) as a challenge I think ! Check with larger greenhouse operators as well.
On Monday I'll call my local farm suppliers and see what they think. Living north of you maybe I can be of help. I know there are alternatives as well. Large additions of composted manure for example, or acidic leaves or pine needles.
I have just the opposite problem my ph is always really low, but then lime is easy to get!!!
Do these people think anyone buying almost anything chemical related is cooking meth? I just had a friend wanting some paint related item and had to make 4 trips to the store to get 4 gallons total for his refinishing shop!

3/25/2006 10:19:09 PM

Kiel WI

I've got my brother turning a monster of a compost pile right now, and I'm going to the coop on Monday to pick up some seeds, so I'll try that again. Since the soils in this area are alkaline, they sure as heck ought to have it.

3/25/2006 11:19:17 PM

Waquoit Mass

check with the company that did your soil test i learned that elemental sulfur lowers ph better. maybe steve can elaborate on this d

3/26/2006 8:43:39 AM

Mastic Beach, New York

how about peat moss.

3/26/2006 8:57:32 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

I just find it hard to believe that you have alkaline soil in that part of the state.

3/26/2006 11:50:23 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

When you say a High PH what number are we talking. In Wisconsin they figure 6 as a nominal. I just hate to see a grower wreck soil for a bad test result.

3/26/2006 12:00:37 PM

Kiel WI

I'm watching for a deal on peat moss, so far it's just too pricey for me but I'll probably pick some up for the planting pits at least.

Shannon, thanks again for the seeds! My soil test came back at 8.1 pH, I've convinced a neighbor to send one in also to see if his is similar. He was told to lime his lawn, but that might be the wrong thing to do.

I'm skeptical of the results myself, so I was going to go with half the amount of recommended sulfur and test again in the fall. Also, I'm expecting the compost to make a difference. I wasn't too surprised to find it alkaline though, since we sit on the Niagara Escarpment which is made up of limestone. Some farmers in the area actually have fields of "white soil" where the ledge sits about a foot down. They can plant those a few weeks earlier, but any dry spell wipes them out quick. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Niagara_Escarpment_in_Red.png

3/26/2006 5:04:17 PM

Kiel WI

Also, if anyone has taken Hwy. 151 north out of Fond du Lac along Lake Winnebago, you can get a good look at the ledge of limestone along the road. There's also a Ledge Park nature center near Chilton that does bike tours of it every year.

3/26/2006 5:06:21 PM

Kiel WI

Almost forgot, when I called the feedmill, the regular guy was out, I'll be stopping in tommorrow to try in person.

3/26/2006 5:09:01 PM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

What is your PH?
You need to find a farm supply that sells crop input supplies, fertilizer etc.

3/26/2006 6:54:01 PM

Nashville, TN

hmmm... 8.1!!! Adding compost, Peatmoss and Sulphur should help .. If your not an 'organic grower' you can purchase rather large amounts of 'azalia' fertilizer which acidify the soil gradually. I believe Miracle grow and Scotts both make it.

3/27/2006 1:32:11 PM

Kiel WI

Just got back from the coop, he thought it was an unusual pH for this area, but possible, so I'm letting my skepticism take over and skipping the sulfur for now. Lots of compost and tilling deeply, and re-test in the fall.

3/27/2006 2:14:34 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Bring a sample of soil to one of the bigger greenhouses in your area they will check PH...You have a County AG Extension use it...:)

3/27/2006 3:24:39 PM

Kiel WI

Man Shannon, you're just not gonna let me slack off on this at all, are you?:)

I sampled again, including the new addition but not the rest of the garden, mailed it off and sprung for the additional calcium-magnesium test.

3/29/2006 1:15:06 PM

Kiel WI

Tested again after enlarging the patch,

pH 7.4
P 142#/acre
K 412#/acre
OM 5%
Ca 2510 ppm
Mg 660 ppm

I'm fine with the pH, last one showed it at 8.1 but that was mainly from the garden. The OM will come up soon when I add compost.

The only question I have is the Extension recommends 1# of K per 100 sq ft even though the graph has it at High bordering on Excessive? Any thoughts?

4/6/2006 11:56:16 PM