Managing pH of Muck Soils for Vegetable Production

Historically, the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) evolved under seasonally-flooded conditions that predominately supported sawgrass and other wetland vegetation. Over several thousand years, Histosol “muck” soils were deposited as organic matter accumulated above the limestone (calcium carbonate) bedrock. In the early 1900s, these soils were drained. Declining water table levels coupled with increased urban development and agricultural activities initiated muck oxidation, soil compaction, promotion of muck fires, and increased potential for soil loss due to wind erosion. These factors have led to decreases in soil depth above the bedrock limestone, a phenomena commonly referred to as subsidence.