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Photo: A Regent apple tree in the fall. AK. Author: Annie Klodd, Extension Educator - Fruit and Vegetable Production For many, fall is a convenient opportunity to do soil testing and apply certain fertilizers. Be careful about what and when you are applying in order to avoid problems going into winter. Fall is a great time to amend the soil pH if it is too high or low. Refer to this article for information on lowering soil pH in fruit and vegetable crops. As a general rule, it is safe to apply fertilizer and pH amendments to fruit crops in the fall, with the exception of nitrogen. Most nitrogen sources should be avoided in the fall, as they can stimulate unwanted new plant growth if applied before the plants are dormant, and can leach out of the soil with snow and rain before the next growing season. The exception is nitrogen-rich compost and composted manure, which can be safely applied once the soil temperatures dip below 50 degrees F. Some growers report that they find it diffi
Authors: Natalie Hoidal & Annie Klodd The ideal pH range for growing fruits and vegetables is 6.0 - 7.0 (with the exception of a few specific plants such as blueberries, which thrive in acidic conditions). Outside of this range, nutrients become less available to your plants, even if they are abundant in the soil. This article will cover some strategies for improving the pH of your soil, including longer-term management practices to keep it in the ideal range. Soils that are too acidic (below 6) can be amended with agricultural lime . A basic soil test will provide instructions for the amount of lime needed to adjust your soil. Soils that are too basic (above 7) also need to be amended, but a soil test will not provide specific guidance. A high pH in soil is caused by a few things: Some soils simply have a naturally high pH (or a naturally low pH) Soils that have received excess compost, especially composted manure, tend to have a higher pH due to the build-up of base cations H