Help with re-balancing our soil?

My husband has been scrounging bagged leaves from our neighbors for a couple years and dumping them around our yard to prevent leaves. In some areas, this is great; we have these large, dry-leaf covered areas filled with trees, azaleas, etc. But our garden is not growing produce as well as it did a couple of years ago and I think it%26#039;s because of all the leaves. I think it%26#039;s changed the ph balance of the soil and he doesn%26#039;t believe me. We can%26#039;t get any winter vegetables to grow at all. Is this really hurting our soil or is he right and it%26#039;s making it richer? If it%26#039;s altering in a way not good for vegetables, what can we do to change it for our garden this season? I%26#039;m tired of picking sad, tiny bitter little peppers! Help!

Help with re-balancing our soil?
Check with you local county Cooperative Extension agent. They can help you get your soil tested and make the proper corrections.
Reply:Composting leaves is the only way that leaves can do your soil much good. If your husband is not composting, the leaves are essentially mulch. While it is OK to use uncomposted leaves as mulch (it is better if they are shredded) to help prevent weed growth, it is not beneficial to the soil in garden areas.





The reason for this is that decomposing leaves (and shredded wood mulch that has not been aged) rob the soil of nitrogen. This nitrogen deficiency prevents normal growth in garden plants.





If you do use uncomposted shredded leaves as mulch in your garden, you should add some slow release nitrogen fertilizer to the garden in the Spring. Check at your local nursery and follow instructions carefully.
Reply:lots of decomposing organics provide humus which is rich and all, but you are right the acidity of the soil can be too high. you might try to reduce acidity by adding lime or dolomite to the soil. some garden centers sell ph testing kits, to test your soil. some places have a dept of ag. that will test your soil for free.



beauty