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Horticulture Principles and Practices

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TABLE 4–8<br />

Soil pH Requirement of Selected Plants<br />

Acidic (4.5–5.5) Moderately Acidic Near Neutral<br />

(5.5–6.5) (6.5–7.5)<br />

Azalea Boston fern Artichoke<br />

Blueberry Amaryllis Lima bean<br />

Bentgrass Campanulla Sugar beet<br />

Cranberry Fuchsia Poinsettia<br />

Camellia Clematis Gladiolus<br />

Hydrangea Gloxinia Larkspur<br />

Gardenia Impatiens Crocus<br />

D<strong>and</strong>elion Grape Dahlia<br />

Cactus Turnip Apple<br />

Strawberry Shallot Cabbage<br />

Lily of the valley Tomato Broccoli<br />

Laurel Watermelon Snapdragon<br />

English holly Pansy Daphne<br />

Potato Rubber plant Poppy<br />

Trailing arbutus Zinnia Narcissus<br />

Heather Shasta daisy Delphinium<br />

Rhododendron Dogwood Pea<br />

Gardenia Corn Cabbage<br />

Scientific names of all plants are found in Appendix 4-D.<br />

will decline. A variety of strategies may be adopted to improve soil fertility, including<br />

use of a fallow period, organic matter, compost, <strong>and</strong> inorganic fertilizers.<br />

Fallow Period<br />

A piece of l<strong>and</strong> may be left uncultivated for several years to rejuvenate itself by natural<br />

processes. This tactic may be practical in areas where l<strong>and</strong> is plentiful. However, most<br />

people have only one piece of l<strong>and</strong> to use for gardening or other crop production<br />

activities.<br />

116 Chapter 4 Plant Growth Environment<br />

Organic Matter<br />

In this age of environmental consciousness, people are concerned about chemicals in<br />

food. Organic farming, a system of producing crops without the use of synthetic soil<br />

nutrient-enhancing chemicals, is gaining popularity. Green manuring, a strategy in which<br />

a field is sown with a leguminous crop for the sole purpose of plowing under, is used to<br />

improve soil fertility. Other plant residues can be treated similarly. Organic wastes from<br />

poultry, cattle, <strong>and</strong> other animal production enterprises are also used to fertilize farml<strong>and</strong>.<br />

A disadvantage with using animal waste is that the material is bulky. Further, organic<br />

fertilizers are difficult to calculate correctly <strong>and</strong> to apply uniformly.<br />

Compost<br />

Home gardeners may prepare compost, which is simply partially decomposed plant<br />

material. Composting is discussed in detail in Chapter 22.<br />

Inorganic Fertilizers<br />

Most soil amendments are accomplished by applying inorganic fertilizers. Inorganic<br />

fertilizer amounts are easier to calculate correctly <strong>and</strong> apply uniformly, <strong>and</strong> they are less<br />

bulky.

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