Climate and Soil (III)
4. pH
If the soil pH is below 6.5, it is an acid soil.
If the pH is between 6.5 and 7, the soil is neutral.
If the pH is greater than 7, the soil is alkaline or basic.
The methods for determining the pH of you on this page.
The soil pH or substrate influences the choice of species.
Ideally, a neutral pH (pH between 6.5 and 7), although some, the acidophilic (Azalea, Rhododendron, Hydrangea, Camelis, Heather, Gardenia, etc.) Prefer less than 6.5, and others (Calcareous) are happy with a pH above 7.
If the soil pH is greater than 7, do not recommend planting in it.
If the soil was very acidic (pH <5.5) become scarce other essential plant nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, boron and molybdenum and the structure is usually not good.
In that case, choose acid loving plants such as Hydrangea, Gardenia, Camellia, Heather, Azalea, Rhododendron, etc., And/or raise the soil pH by adding ground limestone. Dose: 15-20 pounds per 100 square feet to bring in the autumn and is buried styling (liming of a soil).
Again, if the pH is alkaline and acid loving plants discard all calcifuges list. It is most recommendable.
However, there are those who want to grow these plants in these soils. It can be done if:
Bajes soil pH and water (if it is too chalky). In soil is done by adding iron sulfate, peat or sulfur (to choose) and in water with citric acid. Lowering the pH of soil nutrients released insolubilized (iron, manganese, phosphorus, etc.)..
In addition to lowering pH, additional fertilizer inputs to prevent deficiencies. The most typical example is that of iron deficiency (iron chlorosis), manifested by yellow leaves remain green nerves. It adds a special fertilizer called iron chelators.
5. Humus and mineral nutrients
In most species like soil rich in organic matter (humus) and mineral nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, iron, etc.). If yours is, congratulations. If not, if you’re poor, you have two options:
Choose only plants sustained, hard and wild, desert plants, Mediterranean plants, cactus, succulents, etc.. These plants even do not like soil rich in organic matter.
Improve the soil by providing organic matter and fertilizer year after year. For example, manure, compost, homemade compost, peat, manure, humus, etc.
To determine whether a soil is rich in humus or mineral nutrients are testing soil samples in a specialized laboratory. A general idea is that clay soils are usually rich in nutrients and sandy soils, poor.
6. Saline or saline soil
It is not often, but you can give saline soils. Saline soils are those with excessive amounts of certain salts (chlorides, sulfates, etc.).. Also if you have missed an excessive amount of fertilizer is produced soil salinization. More information on saline soils and their recovery here.
The plants grow less and burns the leaves can be seen at the tip and edges.
If irrigation water is clearly salt, discard it for irrigation.
If the water is slightly saline, choose salt-tolerant plants (listed above), water with a little more water to wash salts and go every 5 months “lava” soil depth or substrate throwing plenty of water to flush the sales outside the root zone.
Source: http://articulos.infojardin.com/articulos/diseno-jardin-clima-suelo.htm
image source: www.lowescreativeideas.com/Libraries/0910%20-%20project%20images/Soil0910_hero.sflb