What to add to this "soil"?

Fuddyduddy1952 · Jun 2, 2023

I had soil tested I bought as 16 tons topsoil which I spread in front yard depressions, it rained that night and it turned to like concrete. It came from where an apartment complex is going in, the delivery place refunded my money. I couldn't believe how acidic it was, 5.1ph, and why it would be.
I'll till areas, add fertilizer & lime I assume then add real composted topsoil and plant fescue late summer.
Thoughts are appreciated and I'd like to buy a good ph meter. I have two but they weren't accurate.
Thanks.

5030 · Jun 2, 2023

Nothing beats scraped off clay for concrete... Your county extension agent should do a soil test for you, usually free.

CobyRupert · Jun 2, 2023

What turns to concrete when it rains…other than concrete? Limestone?

ruffdog · Jun 3, 2023

Here is the first thread about the delivered "soil".

Anyone know about screened topsoil?

LDR812 · Jun 3, 2023

I’ve heard adding soap can help soil take water and loosen up. Haven’t tried it myself but makes sense. I have some soil that when it first starts to rain I swear the rain just bounces off and beads up like it’s on a waxed car! I’m thinking of pooring tide or Boraxo around

Streetcar · Jun 3, 2023

CobyRupert said:
What turns to concrete when it rains…other than concrete? Limestone?

Limestone would not have low ph

Fuddyduddy1952 · Jun 3, 2023

That's what baffles me...someone told me they thought it was crushed cinder block, concrete or limestone but that has a ph 11. This is 5.1!
I put some in large containers for wife to plant vegetables, after getting report I put a handful of lime on plants then watered...overnight they bloomed!

jaxs · Jun 3, 2023

Strange soil indeed. I've never seen anything that wasn't alkaline harden with addition of moisture.
If millet does as well where you are as in Texas,I'd plant some right away then turn it under for compost before planting the Fescue. In Texas we plant Annual Rye and Hairy Vetch for Winter soil builder.

Gem99ultra · Jun 4, 2023

LDR812 said:
I’ve heard adding soap can help soil take water and loosen up. Haven’t tried it myself but makes sense. I have some soil that when it first starts to rain I swear the rain just bounces off and beads up like it’s on a waxed car! I’m thinking of pooring tide or Boraxo around

Sounds like a good idea! Please - let us know if that works.

MAX-24-Dean · Jun 4, 2023

LDR812 said:
I’ve heard adding soap can help soil take water and loosen up. Haven’t tried it myself but makes sense. I have some soil that when it first starts to rain I swear the rain just bounces off and beads up like it’s on a waxed car! I’m thinking of pooring tide or Boraxo around

Surfactants will allow water to penetrate some soils more effectively. Shaklee "Basic H", and Amway "LOC" have surfactants in them.

I used to sell drums of the stuff to farmers.

A couple of irrigated farms would apply the surfactants "soap" through thier irrigation systems.

The wiki link is a good read.