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Which soil deoxidizer to choose at the end of the season: the best option for autumn
09.10.2024 20:48
Autumn has been here for a month now, which means it’s time to carry out important activities on the site, including soil deoxidation.
This process requires careful consideration. First of all, it is necessary to determine which product is best suited for these purposes.
Ash
Ash not only does the job of deoxidizing the soil, but also acts as an excellent fertilizer. In the fall, it is better to use wood ash on clay and loamy soils.
For one square meter you will need from 0.5 to 1.5-2 kg of ash, depending on the pH level of the soil. When adding to the soil, which should be done once every two years, bury the ash to a depth of at least 10-15 cm.
Chalk
If you are going to use chalk as a deoxidizer, make sure that it is ground literally into flour, without any large pieces.
It is recommended to add 250 to 700 grams of chalk per square meter of soil. The procedure is carried out every 3-4 years, burying it to a depth of 15-20 cm.
Slaked lime (slaked lime)
This deoxidizer, which is considered the most aggressive, should be applied only in the autumn, avoiding the beds where potatoes are planned to be grown, in order to avoid infection with scab.
Lime is used to deoxidize the soil once every 3-4 years. It is added during digging, burying it to a depth of 20-25 cm. One "square" requires 400 to 600 grams of lime.
Dolomite flour
Dolomite flour helps solve many problems at once. It gently deoxidizes the soil without harming plant roots and soil microorganisms, and also improves the soil structure, which is especially important for clay soils. In addition, dolomite flour serves as a fertilizer, as it contains calcium and magnesium carbonates (56% calcium and 42% magnesium).
Since dolomite has a slow action, it should be applied in the fall. The amount depends not only on the acidity level of the soil, but also on its structure: on sandy soils, 150-400 g per square meter will be required, and on clay soils - from 250 to 600 g.
Be sure to bury the dolomite to a depth of at least 15-20 cm by digging the soil or using a cultivator.
