How does Hard Water effect fertilizers

Hard Water (high pH) - effect on fertilizers

Q. We’re told our pH is very high here. Can we grow a garden? What amendments do we need to apply so that we can grow in this soil?

A. Probably the only thing you need to do is use gypsum in your Pre-Plant Mix. However, if you were to test your water and discover that it is in the pH range of 8.5-8.9, since sulfur lowers pH, you might need to use some sulfuric acid in the water to bring the pH down closer to 7.

Consider that Dr. Mittleider himself lives 20 miles from Yucaipa, California (notoriously high pH) and does nothing other than using gypsum. And his daughter lives IN Yucaipa, and they do nothing other than using gypsum, and they have wonderful gardens.

In Duccor, California several years ago, Dr. M. had water with a pH of 8.6-8.9 and he used sulfuric acid in the water. Other than that and one other place in Idaho, he has never had to go to those extremes.

He says to treat your blueberries like everything else, and if they aren't thriving, a little more gypsum, or in the worst case, a little sulfur will take care of it.