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Soil, Compost & Mulch

Sour Soil

16 years ago

I've been searching the internet for about an hour trying to figure our why my soil has appeared to sour. I had a soil test done last November on a 50x50 garden with this being the 7th planting year. I took five tests; 1 each at a 10'diagonal from each corner, and one in the center. The test came back with an average of 6.5 throughout the garden. I did a major cross tilling when I added a large amount of leaf much and grass clippings after receiving the results. I assumed that would mix the upper and lower ends of the ph to meet the average across the garden.

Friday I started major tilling for planting. The soil is very damp as I have trees on two sides of the garden. I tilled in layers essentially turning it over in the sun and wind to dry it. To be frank, the soil stinks and smells really soured. I have my doubts that vegetables are even going to grow in it but I am proceeding with planting anyway since I have no other choice.

Does anyone have any idea how a fairly neutral ph soil can sour, even if it is damp? I've worked my rear end off for the past years trying to get humus into this clay and thought that this might be the year that it all comes together.

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Comments (4)

gonefishin
16 years ago
Just guessing, no I have no idea why it would sour, unless it would be that the grass clippings and leaf mulch has created a big 50 X 50' active compost pile that the cold, damp weather has let sour. Unless you have some more dry, dead leaves, cotton burrs, or fine hay to shred up and add, I would just pray for some dry, warm weather with wind to dry it out some. That would probably work wonders and you might still get a crop in.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Bill P.
Kimmsr
16 years ago
Your soil smells really bad because it is anaerobic, too wet and you should not be tilling that soil yet. Your soils pH of 6.5 in about in the middle of the desireable range of 6.2 to 6.8 but most likely you still do not have enough organic matter in that soil. Wait to till more until you can pick up a handful of soil, squeeze it tightly, and when you poke the ball that is formed it just falls apart. At that time your soil is ready to till, if it is necessary to till.
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I have not read even one comment here where someone has said that not recommending a soil test is 'the preferred course of action'. Just reread the thread (this, and/or the one on the other forum) and count how many times I have repeated that the responsible course of action IS to recommend a soil test. But, getting a soil test is not, in any way, a necessary action. What I have said is that it MAY be necessary, and it MAY NOT be necessary. I have also said that if anyone would like to learn the list of circumstances I proposed about when a soil test is a better choice than in other situations, then you'll find that list in the thread on the other forum. There's a difference between recommending the test, and making the person feel that a test is required or they are somehow doing something wrong. The test is simply better for certain situations (listed on the other thread.) And, a test is the only way to get exact numbers on any given sample of soil (and even that is just an average of the soil in any sizable area of ground.) It just seems that there is a rip tide of 'you must get a soil test before you can garden'. And this is absolute nonsense. Again though - for those who seem to be misreading the comments - recommending a soil test IS the responsible course of action. However, whether to get a professional test, or not, is a decision that entails more factors than just 'needing to get one'. In some areas of the country, a test from a professional lab can cost a LOT of money, and just finding the labs takes effort. If those who think everyone should get a test want to be precise, then they should preface their comments with good reasons that speak to the specific circumstances of the OP. This is one of those times where there is just not enough info given in the OP to be pushing the - 'you must get a professional soil test' - line.
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pablo_nh
16 years ago
Watch out with terms- "sour soil" is normally used to refer to acidic soil (and your pH is great).

OK- it smells sour after you tilled in grass clippings and leaves. My guess is about the same as kimmsr- the leaves, and grass are holding lots of moisture and creating anaerobic conditions. The wet soil, and maybe some matting of material, is limiting air to the site of composting. This is not as big an issue as you might imagine- many bury compostables and let them decompose in the bed with great results.

If I was you- I'd stop tilling so much and let it do its thing. When the leaves and grass decompose and the soil dries a bit the soil will breathe a lot better. In the future- just adding that stuff mixed up and left on the surface will add all the goodies without the anaerobic decomp.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
16 years ago
reeldoc...just out of curiosity, what color is your soil?

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