A gardener moving into an older home with a backyard covered in pine needles from large pine trees faces the challenge of acidic soil. The accumulated needles, several centimetres deep, have likely made the soil acidic. However, several vegetables thrive in these conditions, including potatoes, tomatoes, beans, peas, and members of the onion family. For fruit, blueberries also perform well in acidic soil.
Conditioning Acidic Soil
To improve soil quality, use mushroom compost, which is alkaline, rather than manure, which is slightly acidic. Applying mushroom compost every spring at a depth of 5 to 7.5 cm and working it into the soil to a depth of 20 to 30 cm helps neutralize acidity and adds nutrients. The gray color of the soil indicates a lack of humus, which compost will remedy over time.
Potato Scab Resistance
Another gardener reported potato scab on Red Pontiac potatoes and asked about resistant varieties. According to gardening expert Gerald Filipski, Netted Gems, Early Gem, and Norland potatoes show resistance to scab, though no variety is completely immune. Cultural practices also help: rotate crops regularly, avoid planting potatoes in scab-affected areas for at least three years, and keep soil moist but not wet.
For further questions, email filipskigerald@gmail.com or follow @justaskjerry01 on X (Twitter).
