Adjusting pH when recycling no-till mediums

When we recycle our growing medium as I'll show in this post we sometimes need to adjust it's pH. Starting medium. In this case I will adjust the pH of my medium from 8.0 down to 6.5 pH. I used this small batch of soil to demonstrate the process only. You will need distilled water for your soil slurry test. Here I add equal amounts of soil and distilled water, 1/2 cup in my case. Stir together, then let it sit for 15 minutes. Stir again and take your reading. I use peat moss for the process to adjust my pH down. I found with a starting pH of 8.0 I'll need to add 20% peat moss to obtain my goal of 6.4-6.5 pH. It's as simple as that. You will need to adjust the percentage of peat moss to fit your pH requirements.

 

Your plants are growing like crazy Jay. Seems like you've gotten them dialed in.

 

I agree 100%. And the smaller the soil mass the sooner pH can creep up and cause us issues.

 

Thank you Os. I just hope it reminds folks to check their pH when they recycle their mediums. It does make a difference in the way our plants uptake nutrients.

 

I certainly would. When I recycle my growing medium. I actually break up the root mass and mix the medium prior to sampling. If you're going no-till I would approach it in the manner you are, at least until you get a pH reading.

Edit: If you find you need to add peat to lower your pH you will need to break things up to thoroughly mix in the peat moss and recheck your pH.

 

Just one more tip on winter soil recycling. If you don't want the significant other to file for divorce when you're remixing your medium in the house. Use a brand new tarp to mix things up. I've done this on carpeted floors and not one speck of growing medium was left behind.

 

If your compost is already 6.5 I would just follow a simple no-till mix.

I'm not familiar with sheep's wool.

As for your cow compost. I'd once again suggest following a no till recipe and adjusting your pH after it has been mixed.

If you're using the cow manure for top dressing you can adjust it as I explained above. I'd try a small sample to be sure how your manure pH changes.
I'd suggest starting with 10 cups of manure to 2 cups of hydrated peat.

 

I also have high bicarbonate levels in my water. I can run three cycles in my 10 gallon no-tills. But, they become more problematic with each run. I did push one 10 gallon pot to 4 cycles no-till style. It was the Barney's Farms Lemon Tree that I had iron lockout on. I learned something from that grow, so I'd still consider it a success.

 

Yes, I understand that @Laucass83. I should have worded my post title differently. I recycle soil like yours a bit differently. I've been running smaller 10 gallon no-till fabric pots lately. I run them non-stop for three cycles. I could never run 3 years straight with those pots and my well water. I guess this is part of the reason why what one person does to grow great plants doesn't fit every ones grow equally. By my fourth cycle my plants will turn white from iron lockout caused from high root zone pH. I'm still learning new things myself every day.