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To: Sarajevo

Yes, That area had cows and sheep on it for 25 years. The best soil to be cursed with is sandy, At least it drains. I also have to put lime on it 2 or 3 times a season as the rains wash it all away and the tomatoes get blossom end rot. It’s worth all the extra work as we get 2 seasons in South FL! In the summer it’s just to hot. If you like black eyed peas you can get 3 seasons but the fungus goes nuts in the rainy season...


37 posted on 10/15/2011 12:40:47 PM PDT by satan69 (garden)
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To: satan69
You are so right about the drainage. Here, in the Texas Hill Country, we have high pH caliche based soil. That causes all kinds of problems because the plants can't take up the needed nutrients. I've been dumping tons (and I mean tons) of manure on the ground in raised beds or working it into the soil so I can have decent soil to plant in. The ancient sea bed in this area is almost an impermeable surface.

We've got 2 seasons also, but the seasons are temperamental. This year, we had a freeze, so I had a small crop of peaches and mulberry. If we don't have a freeze, I harvest Japanese Loquat.

The current drought also causes all kinds of growing problems. We mist our plants to keep the air temps below 90 degrees, but the irrigation water is high pH with a lot of dissolved calcium which accumulates on the leaves. I haven't found a good way to filter and lower water pH before it gets to the spray heads yet.

I use a lot of epsom salts (Magnesium sulfate) to combat blossom end rot in my garden. It's real cheap at the drugstore.

39 posted on 10/15/2011 12:56:18 PM PDT by Sarajevo (Is it true that cannibals don't eat clowns because they taste funny?)
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To: satan69
"I also have to put lime on it 2 or 3 times a season as the rains wash it all away and the tomatoes get blossom end rot."

You can apply your calcium in a foliar feed and it won't wash away.

42 posted on 10/15/2011 1:02:39 PM PDT by JustaDumbBlonde (Don't wish doom on your enemies. Plan it.)
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