Question
QUESTION: I live in New Mexico where the soil pH in my garden is high, ranges from 7.9-8.2 and I have a high lime content.  Most, not all, of the soil has adequate iron but it's not available due to the high pH.  I'll add compost and rock dust (for trace minerals) for longer term help and to try to bring the pH down a little. For the short term, I'm using chelated iron, specifically FeEDDHA, and that's helping.  Many areas are also low in mangenese.  For high Ph soils, are all there also particular chelates of Mn that are more effective such as with the iron chelate, FeEDDHA?
Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Jim, There are chelated manganese products available. Your local independent garden center should be able to get one for you.  Peters makes a soluble trace element mix (STEM) that should work fine. Often when chelated manganese is added the result is the opposite of what you'd expect because it's quickly replaced by iron. So I'd try to get the pH down to help free up your iron.  I'd use aluminum sulfate.  It's cheap and readily available. However If you only need a little, you can buy chelated manganese tablets in any health food store.  Dissolve them in water and apply a little to each plant if needed.  Jim

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the reply.  Just to clarify - for high pH soils I gather that any or all manganese supplements are equal, i.e. there is no special Mn that's more effective for high pH.

As a followup on the pH issue - I've also been told that I might try ammonium sulfate, sulfur, or ferrous sulfate to lower soil pH.  Is your preference aluminum sulfate?
Thanks again

Answer
As far as I know, there's no difference in chelated Manganese products, but I'm sure the makers may have another opinion.  You may stimulate some growth with ammonium sulfate, so I don't use it after July 1.  Any of the others are fine.  Which ever is the most economical for you.  In my case, aluminum sulfate gets me the best results with the least cost and I grow a lot of hydrangeas and aluminum gives them their color.  Jim