
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, January 15, 1995                   TAG: 9501190023
SECTION: HOMES                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOHN ARBOGAST
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

GARDEN'S HIGH PH SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM

Q: I received my soil test report from the soil lab at Virginia Tech which showed a pH of 7.5 in my garden. My main vegetable crop is tomatoes, which I understand prefer pH in the range of 5.5 to 6.5. What can I do now to lower the pH in time for spring planting? My garden is about 2,000 square feet. I have heard that sulfur will lower pH. If true, what would be the suggested application? Also, what pH is desirable for lima beans and squash? J.D.C., Blue Ridge

A: The ideal soil pH for most vegetables, including tomatoes, limas and squash, is between 6.2 and 6.8. The lower part of the range you mentioned for tomatoes is too acidic.

Sulfur is used to lower soil pH, but I would not worry about trying to lower your 7.5 pH before planting your tomatoes this spring. Crops with optimum pH of 6.2 to 6.8 should tolerate a pH of 7.0 to 8.0 and grow well; and in most cases, the soil pH will gradually decrease with time.

Q: I would like to know if bags of mulch are treated for termites and if mulch you buy from greenhouses is treated.

A: According to Dr. William H. Robinson, extension entomologist at Virginia Tech, bagged mulch as well as mulch from greenhouses is not treated for termites. He explained that termite-control chemicals are not labeled for treating mulch. According to the pesticide law, pest-control chemicals legally are to be used only for purposes stated on the label.

Q: Is it true that putting cypress mulch next to the foundation of the house will deter insects from entering the house? Does planting mint also have the same results? What is the difference between cypress mulch and pine bark mulch as far as the benefits one has over the other in a flower garden? G.R.K., Hillsville

A: I had to get information from Robinson for your letter also. Here's what he said:

No, cypress mulch won't deter insects from entering the house.

Late-blooming mint can lead to insects around the house; Robinson can't imagine mint as a deterrent to insects.

Cypress when chopped up is probably similar to pine bark that has been made into mulch, Robinson said.

I have found in home landscaping that cypress mulch seemed to keep a lighter color for a longer time than pine bark mulch. That comment is not based on any research; some folks might prefer the light over the dark.

Woodpecker tale

Here's a story about animals in their normal activities observed by V.E.W. of Stuart: ``One day recently [letter dated 6/5/94] I was looking/admiring the tiny yellow flowers which cover my acre. (None of my neighbors would have them!) I saw something slithering in the grass like a snake. It was a woodpecker flattened in the grass - tail, body, head. It was digging with its bill. Every 3 or 4 inches it ate a few blades of grass. All movements were made without raising any part of the woodpecker.

``Flocks of robins work the same area every day, but they post sentinels to warn the flock. Woodpeckers do not travel in flocks. A lone red-headed woodpecker would be conspicuous standing on the ground.''

Send short questions about your lawn, garden, plants, or insects to Dear John, c/o the Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491. We need your mail, but this column can't reply to all letters. Those of wide appeal will be answered each week. Personal replies cannot be given. Please don't send stamps, stamped envelopes, samples or pictures.

by CNB