[Magdalen] Another "worthless" food.

[AT&T]

Yes, but that's before it was a black walnut. 

Jim Handsfield 
Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 2, 2016, at 9:39 AM, Grace Cangialosi <gracecan at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> I've been reading and hearing recently about the ways in which plants actually communicate with one another and have evolved together. I would love to know how this might reveal how the black walnut evolved into a Rhett that is toxic to nearly every other plant. Was there a reason that it needed more space in order to survive? Was there a time when it *wasn't* so toxic?
> Just wondering...
> 
>> On Oct 2, 2016, at 8:32 AM, Marion Thompson <marionwhitevale at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Sibyl is right.  There is no chemical solution for black walnut toxicity caused by juglone.  The best solution is avoidance and separation.  Some plants may thrive in proximity, e.g., Kentucky blue grass, lilacs, day lilies, some tolerate and some, as we know, like tomatoes and roses are adversely affected.  I can't tell you how many thousands of dollars I invested in a 25 yr long quest for at least survivors.  The black walnut appears to perfected a way to minimize competion.
>> 
>> Marion, a pilgrim
>> 
>> 
>>> On 10/1/2016 10:46 PM, Lynn Ronkainen wrote:
>>> Thanks for that thorough explanation Sibyl. I was using sweeten outside of the apparent context of soil nomenclature. I meant to question whether the soil could be neutralized by the addition of something so it would not have an adverse effect on the plants. It is interesting to know about the reaction you described.
>>> Lynn
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> www.ichthysdesigns.com
>>> 
>>> When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'. attributed to Erma Bombeck
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On Oct 1, 2016, at 8:56 PM, Sibyl Smirl <polycarpa3 at ckt.net> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> On 9/30/16 10:23 PM, Lynn Ronkainen wrote:
>>>> Is there not something that will "sweeten" the soil (garden lingo) to counteract the effect of the BW tree?  My father in law, God rest his gardening soul, battled the BW tree next door for 50 years.
>>>> Lynn
>>> I've always understood that sweetening sour soil has to do with bringing soil that is too acid toward normal or slightly alkaline, though soil that is _too_ alkaline wouldn't be called "sweet".  Some plants, like tomatoes, blackberries, blueberries, poison ivy, like it on the acid side, but most garden plants want it neutral or slightly alkaline.  You do that by adding lime, or ground limestone for a gentler effect.  But the problem with Black Walnuts is not a matter of acidity, but a chemical the roots, and to some extent, the fallen leaves, add to the soil, to which most plants are "allergic".
>>