Bentonite
Bentonite is a fine clay used, when compacted, to prevent water leakage (ponds and dams) or near foundations to limit water movement in. [... more]
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Soil Sterilizing
Soil can be sterilized for use indoors or in pots by placing moist soil in a kitchen cooking bag and heated in a 200 degree F. oven until a thermometer in the soil registers 140 degrees F. Higher temperatures will ... [... more]
University of Illinois Solutions |
Concrete In Gardening
Concrete can be composed of limestone and can alter the soil's pH in the nearby area. Also, many concrete bases may contain crushed limestone as filler. ... [... more]
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Phosphorus
Plants deficient in phosphorus may have a purplish cast on the underside of the leaves (corn) or purplish/red leaves and stems (tomatoes). Flowering and fruiting will be limited. Plants will be slow to form new roots ... [... more]
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Sulfur Dusting
Dusting sulfur is a specifically formulation of sulfur used to control diseases on various plants. IT SHOULD NOT BE USED TO LOWER THE SOIL pH. [... more]
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Mulch -- Using Newspapers And Magazines
AVOID using magazines which rely on the use of many colored photos or heavy colored printing, as well as thick glossy paper. Chemicals and heavy metals such as lead and cadmium used in the colored printing process ... [... more]
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Iron
Iron deficiency shows up as a chlorosis -- a yellowing of the leaves with bright green veins. ... [... more]
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Calcium
Calcium will show up as weak stems/trunks as well as a reduction of any new growth from the plant's growing points. ... [... more]
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Marble
Marble is a metamorphic form of calcium carbonate. It will alter the soil's pH, though much more slowly than limestone, another form of calcium carbonate. ... [... more]
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Rock Mulch
Avoid using ground limestone or marble. The cost of the former may be ideal, though limestone (calcium carbonate) will alter the soil pH, resulting in yellowing of evergreens and other plants. Marble is a metamorphic ... [... more]
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Quick Lime
Quick lime is Calcium Oxide (CaO) and should be used with extreme care on soil. Quick lime will react quickly with water and form a calcium hydrate. However, if sufficient water isn't available, quick lime pulls ... [... more]
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Zinc
Small, thin, yellow leaves as well as low yields are symptoms of zinc deficiencies. ... [... more]
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