He put in a 250 sq. ft. concrete patio up to 6" from our adjoining fence/property line and rock salted the surface for texture, using at least 10lbs. of rock salt.

He then washed off the rocksalt into the 6" trench between the pad and the fence, which is at the base of my long, low berm on the other side of the fence, planted up front with 4 nectarine trees, 2 apricot trees, roses between them, and perennial ground cover plantings under them all around 5-6 years old.

They are all dying.

Since his land naturally drains toward the fenceline, the saltwater most likely ran further downhill along the fenceline into the feet of my 5 apple trees and 3 peach trees (with roses between and cround cover perrennials too).

My question is...

How can I save what's left (he washed the salt off on Sunday June 18 '06)?

Would someone explain the leaching process to remove excessive salt from my soil?

Will this work without sending more saltwater into my other trees, roses, and perennials downstream (downberm)?

Thanks for the help!

Jeff

2. Fire it at his house

After that, maybe you will have to wait for the salt to disperse before replanting unless you want to excavate and replace the soil.

I will flood every other day. I feel that the salt was localized and hadn't travelled too far til I started the flushing.

Even though the soil is more like clay, I have ammended it well over the years and can at least wash out the top 18-24 inches.

No malice was intended and I think the damage can at least be halted.

I figure I've put about 780 gallons of water on it in the last 24hrs just thru the drippers and drip sprayers.

I also ran 2 hoses down the trench between the new pad and my berm at a good trickle to push any washed out salt to the drain at the end.

The berm is 32" wide by 6-8" tall on my side of the fence, more like 12-14" tall on his side by 60 feet long. There is a subsurface drain at the end that flows to the county flood sewer system.

I will try the gypsum too.

Thanks again!

Jeff

I agree with Nandina, treat are with gypsum. I have done a little research & found the following info on liquid gypsum (see link).

Hope this helps and so sorry this happened to you.

Blessings,
Beth