We carried out research into the type of soils that our project site is part of. We collected information firstly from the British Geological Survey which categorised much of the Sussex coastline around Brighton & Hove to be London Clay up to 10 metres in depth with upper & middle chalk under that up to 325 metres in depth. “Head is the most widespread drift deposit of the district and varies considerably in lithology. It is a brown silty loam with variable content of flint & sandstone fragments.” (Brighton & Worthing – Solid & Drift Geology, England and Wales series sheet 318/333
Secondly we looked at the agricultural use of the area, which was classified as being predominantly in urban use (for obvious reasons as the project site is based in Brighton & Hove City boundary). But the areas within the city boundaries available to agricultural use are considered Grade 3. (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food – 1972)
Finally we looked at a very detailed map of the types of soil in our project area which were categorised as such:
Soil Group Parent Material
Rendzinas Chalk
Brown Earths Flinty Silty Head
Brown Calcerous Silty Chalky Head
(Soil Maps of Sussex Coastal Plan 631.4942)
If we compare our actual site to these provided, we can see that ours is very much a lime-rich soil over chalk, which fortunately provides reasonably fertile humus for us to use. The soil matches quite closely what these descriptions offer. It is a freely draining soil which we have talked about previously in the project and can mitigate against by providing solutions to prevent runoff. We should encounter few obstacles though to producing year round produce on our project site.
(We also found useful in researching this subject: www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes)
2. Carry out the soil test for particles (silt, sand and clay) outlined in this section. Be sure to use a smooth-sided glass jar with a wide mouth. Do three samples for accuracy. Send in a drawing of your findings. Buy or borrow a test kit for pH and use it on each sample.
All three samples returned a pH of 7.Chemical characteristics of soil
The pH indicates the acidity or alkalinity (basic) of the soil. Different plants have differing optimum soil pH requirements. The majority of plants prefer a pH of around 6 to 7, which is very slightly acid.
The soil pH is important in determining the availability of soil minerals. At pH extremes some minerals are "locked up" and cannot be used by the plants, whilst other minerals may become toxic. e.g. aluminium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese and boron become more soluble under acidic conditions and can reach toxic levels. The application of different fertilisers can affect the pH of the soil.
If a soil is too acid then it can be modified by the addition of lime. If it is too alkaline then elemental sulfur may be added which is oxidised by specific soil bacteria to form sulfuric acid. Ploughing in green manure crops and animal manures also lowers soil pH. Soil pH can have an effect on microbial activity in the soil.
VEGETABLES pH
Asparagus 6.5-7.5
Bean, french 6.5-7.0
Bean, broad 5.5-7.0
Broccoli 6.5-7.5
Brussel sprouts 5.5-7.0
Cabbage 6.5-7.5
Cauliflower 6.5-7.5
Carrot 6.0-7.5
Celery 6.5-7.5
Cucumber 5.5-7.0
Lettuce 6.5-7.5
Leek 6.5-7.5
Onion 6.5-7.5
Potato 5.5-6.5
Rhubarb 5.0-6.0
Swede 6.5-7.0
Tomato 5.5-7.0
Turnip 6.5-7.0
TREES & SHRUBS
Conifers 4.5-5.5
Deutzia 6.5-8.0
Escallonia 6.5-8.0
Forsythia 6.0-7.5
Heathers 4.5-5.5
Hydrangeas (blue) 4.5-5.5
Jasmin 6.0-7.5
Ligustrum 5.5-7.0
Magnolia 5.0-6.0
Philadelphus 6.5-8.0
Pyracantha 6.5-8.0
Prunus 6.5-8.0
Rhododendron 4.5-5.5
Willow 6.5-7.0
FRUIT
Apple 5.5-7.0
Black Currants 6.0-7.5
Cherries 5.5-6.5
Pears 5.5-7.0
Plums 6.0-7.5
Strawberries 5.0-6.0
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