Soapstone/serpentine quarries

Hey y'all,

I'm looking at land, about to sign a contract after which I'll get a soil survey (or sample, tips are appreciated actually but not the point of the post). The plot was quarried for soapstone, which at first I was hyped about since it meant a higher likelihood we could swim after other tests/cleanup. Then I learned that quarrying soapstone creates dust that adds magnesium to the soil, and there's a native grassland on site in the power line easement that thrives in the magnesium high, high-pH soil. This is only a section, however, of the plot, which has a lot of 15 year old pine and assorted hardwood densely planted and covered in brambles (i.e., paradise). Obviously the soil test will tell a lot, and I'm planning on driving out there next week with white vinegar. I've found that gypsum is a potential solution, though I'm hesitant to try and fix this in any way other than building up organic matter in the soil with mulch and compost (the soil is mostly Spriggs silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slope).

Now. It's come to my attention that I have stumbled upon a quarry that includes what is likely a rare ultramafic woodlands/barrens ecosystem, a particularly nutrient-poor site. Without getting into the whole permaculture vs. ecosystem restoration debate, am I an idiot for even considering trying to start a forest garden here? Is magnesium toxicity the doom of almost anything I plant, especially given the clay subsoil? Is it I'm led to understand magnesium-high soils like this one are somewhat rare, and I can't find anything on growing near serpentine or soapstone.

Thanks!

Hi Drew and welcome to Permies!
Wow, sounds like a interesting piece of land. Has it got water in the quarry for swimming? (I'm so jealous!)
I can't help you much with the magnesium levels, it sounds like it makes the soil sticky/heavy and affects nutrient take up by the plants. If the area has trees and brambles growing, then it obviously can grow plants.  My land is an East facing slope and was a windswept overgrazed sheep field with shallow acidic soil over solid rock. Not the obvious site for a forest garden either! I've planted it with trees (mostly for coppice firewood) and interesting perennials. Some things have failed and others have done surprisingly well (plants don't read books). I think there is almost always some compromise with any piece of land, so I would say if it feels right to you, then go for it.
The main hesitation I might have with your plot is if it is a truly rare ecosystem, is it right to try and 'correct'it?

Hey Nancy, thanks for the reply! The ecosystem is only a section of the plot, so I'm going to minimize disturbing it and hope to work with a local organization already interested in working to preserve it.

ooooooo   you could make a sweet masonry stove  and maybe sell pieces to carvers or get into carving... or masonry stove construction

one plant I have which needs lower pH....  I use micronized sulfur

I have two general reactions.  One is confusion, the other is a growing curiosity.

First, confusion.  What is it you have?  A piece of land that includes a quarry?  Or verdant growth and a super fund site?  On a piece of land that includes a quarry?

The growing curiosity is this:  first, I may be a little jealous.  It sounds like you have a piece of land that is remarkable and somewhat unique, so yeah, it sounds like a great opportunity.  The things that may be challenging are also what makes it unique and actually having a non typical soils issue commands my attention.

Soils have physical properties, chemical properties, biological properties.  I'm sure they have more.  Most people focus on one set of criteria and think they are educated about soils.  For the most part, we have success no matter what we do.  It has less to do with what we do and more to do with the incredibly dynamic nature of soils and life.

So what is the cause of the barren-ness?  Is it lack of what we call soil?  Ie, mostly a rock pile that hasn't decomposed enough or collected enough dust/debris for plants to start growing?  Is it that severe excessive magnesium can cause a crusty soil layer that prevents any kind of germination or root penetration?  All the way to being basically impermeable?

Whatever, color me curious.  The possibilities...

Hey Dane,

It's a pretty large piece of land, around 60 acres, adjacent to two soapstone quarries (including a quarter of one). Some prairies have formed that host a lot of native biodiversity, but the majority of the plot is dense pine, hardwoods, and brambles as far as I can tell. There are sections, however, where the soil is mafic enough to limit tree growth (hence the prairies, along with the classic power line easement), and ultramafic ecosystems on exposed bedrock. As I understand it, these occur all over the world but are so localized to the actual exposed bedrock that each is, more or less, it's own unique ecosystem. Here's where the barrens form. I'm not sure if that's exactly right. In any case, both of these are localized enough to avoid disturbing. It's exciting stuff that I'm certainly not going to approach disturbing.

As for the other questions, I'll just update when I get the soil sample and other stuff. But the land is cool--it's sent me down a rabbit hole on geology and soil formation that's been fun learning. Ultramafic barrens/glades are fascinating

Soils and the processes that form them are indeed quite interesting.

I look forward to seeing more updates.

Best of success in your endeavor.

Drew,

Myself, the very first things that I look at is the soils from the USDA-NRCS Soils Handbook for that particular piece of land. It will give you loads of information. The 2nd and 3rd is to obtain an area well driller's report and have your local Health District give you an initial Sewer drafted report. Not sure how much they are but they are cheaper than buying a piece of property then finding out you can't do anything with it.

As far as the limestone question goes, go to your local Soil and Water Conservation District and talk to them about that particular piece of land. If they do not know anything, they very much will connect you with the correct people. Maybe even an NRCS Civil Engineer. I know nothing about your issue about contamination. Do a quick internet search & see what is said about your issue. But only read the reputable information like from a university. All of that should get you extremely close to the answer you need.

Hope this helps,
Hoppy