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Sydney, Australia

There is still 4 months before planting time in Australia, and my serious attempt at the Australian record of 660pounds. I have a 1250sqft patch that is raised beds above pure clay soil, and also another 2000sqft patch that hasn't been PH tested YET!. The 1250sqft patch has been expanded and the soil from the previous patch has been spread out to a depth of 4" over the entire area. Just PH tested the old soil, and it acidic at PH 5.5 Easy to adjust, just lime it! Have just had 20 cubic yards of black gold, organic garden mix delivered, which is to top up the raised beds to 10" problem is that it PH tests 7.5 to 8.5, quite alkaline. Again easy to fix, add sulfur! What would be the best way to get all the soil to PH of 6.8? Till in the old and the new and hopefully average it out? Or firstly lime the older 5.5 PH soil, then add layers of the black gold(PH 7.5-8.5) with sulfur and till the whole lot together? I'm not sure.......Any ideas? Last year I didn't even check PH. Ended up with a 205 pounder in 350sqft(PB) Thanks. Ben Boyton. Soon to be third year grower.

7/3/2002 6:50:24 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey Boily, These are usually our november questions. You stil got some time. Till in a section of the black gold into the 5.5 and see what you come up with. Your tiller probably won't dig in more then 8". So to get a good soil mix probably have to do it in layers. But I think you might not have to add anything. If your gonna add leaves etc it will bring down the PH to. Good Luck tis year look forward to the WINTER POSTS of growing pumpkins!! Chuck

7/3/2002 7:24:12 AM