white crust on top of soil

[freebird914]

I think it's white mold also found a few yellow spots ? Anyone every deal with this ? I heard I need to check my ph of the soil anyone recommend a good tester? Thanks

[pinkytoe]

Someone once told me that is a chlorine residue from tap water. Don't know if that's true.

[fidgiegirl]

I recently used this kit, but I guess I haven't done enough amending to see if the results are going to lead me right. It got good reviews, though.

ETA: Forgot the link! http://www.amazon.com/Luster-Leaf-1601-Rapitest-Soil/dp/B0000DI845/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371515106&sr=8-1&keywords=luster+leaf

[puglogic]

Could be mold if the ground is always wet, more likely salts or minerals. You might ask the Alabama master gardeners how you'd go about diagnosing and fixing it, and they can likely point you to soil testing services if you want to really know how to amend your soil. pH test kit only tells you acid/alkaline, won't tell you whether your soil will actually grow something successfully. It's been a good investment for us...about $25.

http://www.aces.edu/mg/

[Gregg]

What the others said. Its usually just a build up of whatever solids are in your water. The water evaporates, the solids don't so they start to build up. You can filter the water or you can just scrape off the crust when it gets to the point it bothers you. Either way, a pH test kit is a gook idea.