Soil deacidification: how to reduce acidity at home, 7 ways

Many crops produce good yields only when grown in soil with neutral acidity parameters. However, with the accumulation of an excess amount of hydrogen ions in the soil, there is a risk of its oxidation. This leads to the weakening of trees, grasses and shrubs that are grown in such areas. In such a situation, there is a need for soil deoxidation.

How to determine acidity?

Today there are many methods for determining acidity parameters. And for this it is not at all necessary to contact specialists.

Litmus paper

To determine the reaction of the soil in the garden, you need to take a few teaspoons of earth and universal litmus paper. After that, you can conduct a simple experiment. To do this, each portion of the soil must be wrapped in a dense cloth, placed in a glass and mixed with the same amount of distilled water. After 5 minutes, you can take litmus papers and lower them into a glass for 1-2 seconds. When they change color, you can evaluate the pH values.

Vinegar

To determine the reaction of the soil at home, you can use vinegar with a concentration of 9%. To do this, you need to take the glass, place it on a dark surface, and pour 1 small spoonful of earth on top and pour a little vinegar. When a large amount of foam appears, we can say that the soil is alkaline. If it is not, this indicates that the soil is acidic.

Beet tops

This folk method is considered one of the simplest. To determine the acidity, it is enough to carefully examine the beets that grow in the beds. The darker the color of her leaves, the more acidic the earth is.

When is the best time to deoxidize the soil?

You can reduce acidity in spring and autumn. In this case, it is necessary to take into account a number of features. Summer residents who have areas with wetlands and peatlands begin to deoxidize them before planting new plants or after harvesting.

At the same time, experienced farmers advise deoxidizing the soil in the fall. This is due to the introduction of a large amount of fertilizer in the spring. When substances interact, their effectiveness decreases.

In the spring, it is allowed to use a small amount of fluff lime or dolomite flour. If complete deoxidation is required at this particular time of the year, additional fertilizers will have to be abandoned.

Autumn procedure is considered the preferred option for the following reasons:

1. In autumn, gardeners completely dig up the plot to a depth of 20 centimeters. Thanks to this, the substances that are used to neutralize the acidity will help to cover the soil as much as possible and give a good effect.
2. Deoxidizers are characterized by long-term assimilation in the soil structure, as they are characterized by low solubility. Therefore, the introduction of such compounds at the end of September or October will help to successfully neutralize the pH parameters during the winter.
3. After autumn deoxidation, it is permissible to fertilize in the spring. They are easily absorbed by plants and improve their development.

How to deoxidize the soil in the garden?

Today, there are many tools that help make the soil in the area less acidic. It is important to adhere to the dosage and rules for their use.

Lime

To reduce the acidity parameters, it is permissible to use lime. And it should be applied in stages. When developing a garden or when digging up beds with an interval of 2 years, it is required to make the bulk of the lime. Then the procedure is recommended to be repeated. However, the amount of substance must be reduced.

In case of uneven acidity, liming the soil is zoned. It is recommended to apply the substance only for those plants that especially need a normal soil reaction.

Dolomite flour

This tool is usually used for light types of soil - sandy and sandy loam. It is important to choose the finest dolomite flour. It should be used for "slow crops" - fruit bushes, potatoes, trees. To deoxidize the site, it is necessary to add 500-600 grams of the substance per 1 square meter.

Ash

This remedy is considered not the best option for deacidification, as it does not help compensate for the lack of calcium. However, with uneven acidity on the site and the use of lumpy lime in previous years, it is permissible to use ash.

In this case, it is recommended to use 600 grams of the substance per 1 square meter. For re-deoxidation, which is carried out in the second year after the main one, it is worth using 200 grams of the product.

Plaster

This substance also has pronounced deoxidizing properties. However, it has an important advantage. Gypsum requires acid, not moisture, to dissolve in the ground. Therefore, immediately after application, it reacts with acidic soil, reducing its performance to normal. Then the remains of the substance remain in a passive state.With the next acidification of the soil, the gypsum starts working again.

When applying funds, you must observe the following dosages per 1 square meter:

• for acidic soil use 400 grams of the substance;
• on soils with average acidity, 300 grams of the product are used;
• For areas with weak acidity, 100-200 grams of gypsum is required.

Chalk

Chalk is considered one of the types of lime, but it is characterized by a softer effect on the soil. Therefore, it should be used for soil that has a slightly increased level of acidity. Unlike ordinary hydrated lime, chalk can be used in small amounts before planting in the spring - 2 weeks before work.

If necessary, in autumn deoxidation, it is worth using the following dosages per 1 square meter:

• on areas with weak acidity, it is worth using 100 grams of the product;
• for moderately acidic soil you need 200 grams of chalk;
• for highly acidic soil, 300 grams of the substance will be required.

green manure plants

To reduce the parameters of soil acidity, you can plant special plants on the beds. The most effective green manures include:

• phacelia;
• alfalfa;
• melilot;
• rye;
• white mustard.

Complex deoxidizers

Today, there are many combined products on sale that have deoxidizing properties. Due to this, the introduction of the substance reduces the acidity parameters.

Such preparations are easy to use and facilitate agricultural work. In addition to deoxidizing ingredients, such products also include other beneficial substances. Thanks to this, it is possible to make the soil more fertile. Usually the composition contains boron, zinc, calcium. Also, preparations may include copper, magnesium, molybdenum, manganese and other components.

It is recommended to make such funds in the autumn - when digging up the site. After that, the beds must be watered. It will be possible to achieve a neutral reaction of the soil for 2-3 years.

Plants that love acidic soil

Deacidifying the soil is not always required. There are quite a few plants that thrive in soil with high acidity. Of the ornamental crops, this applies to hydrangeas, ferns, lupins. In such soil, you can grow wild mint, rhubarb, rhododendrons.At the same time, vegetables mainly prefer slightly acidic and neutral soil, which includes many valuable components.

Deacidification of the earth is considered an important procedure that helps to achieve the desired soil reaction and improve plant development. In this case, you need to choose the right tool and follow the rules for its use.

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