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"We are O.K. I really like your classes. I am about to start on a 1/4 acre garden, and I guess I am a little nervous. I have not gardened in almost ten years and I am trying to get my smaller garden (which has lain fallow for quite a while) before I…"
"This makes for an interesting discussion between two Midwestern universities (the one I referenced and the one you referenced) about the soil conditions here in the valley. I think the reason why some of the local nurseries recommend gypsum is…"
"Let's do that garden tour on May 3, and then have breakfast at MG. I think Pat will be on board."
"It is always good to see. Cool slides. Last night was fine. You are right, I love being with Pat.
See you soon"
See you soon"
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Thank you for your response. It sounds like you have a big and exciting project ahead of you. I was sorting through my books (the only things I prize more than my garden!) the other day and ran across the text that really instigated my relationship with (as opposed to study of) the soil, and thought of you. It is called Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth by William Bryant Logan. I was deeply moved by my experience of this book and if I remember it correctly, it seems like something that you would enjoy. Cheers! Heather
My pardon. I did not intend anything offensive about anyone's interest in soil. I sincerely apologize if it came across that way. People go to classes with many different backgrounds and expectations and I do my best to accomodate for everyone's interests from the knowledge that I have available to me. In any good scientific pursuit, there is always debate and many times research is contradictory. I tend to err on the side of paranoid, because as a teacher many people take my opinion and do not choose to research further on their own. I am so glad that you do, as it is always good to have heads together on info gathering. I also apologize if I stepped on some toes, in your converstation with Ericka, I was only attempting to provide helpful information. Best of luck to you and please let me know any more fun facts that you run across!
Thanks- Heather
" Most people are not interested in the chemical formulations of soil, so I don't talk about it much in the classes. The reason that gypsum is not so good for az soils is that it reacts with the highly available soluble aluminum that is present in az soils (but rarely in non desert soils). Study for U. of minnesota says, "There has been some suggestion that the application of gypsum will raise the pH of acid soils. Although gypsum, like lime, contains calcium, the calcium is not responsible for an increase in alkalinity where soils are limed. It is true that the use of gypsum increases alkalinity when applied to soils in the southwestern United States. That increase is due to complex reactions with soluble aluminum."
Here, where we already have highly alkaloid soils, it's not a good idea to add anything to raise the pH."
That's it... If I can expand on anything for you or help in any way, just drop me a line.
Thanks - Heather
Thanks, Web Admin
It was good to see you and your lady last night. You two look so happy.
Check out my slide of last night!
TTYL
~Jennifer