[footfootfoot]

Sarge,

My advice to you is to hook up with your local cooperative extension and take the master gardener course. IT will really help separate fact from fantasy in the world of gardening. 99% of what you read in gardening books, especially "organic" ones, is complete BS. Most gardening books are written by people who collect information from other gardening books that were written by people who collected information from other gardening books that were written by people who collected information from other gardening books that were written by people who collected information from other gardening books that were written by people who spent way too much time in the sun.

I garden organically essentially, but the term is meaningless now. The USDA got involved in creating a legal definition for the term "Organic" at the behest of lobbying groups for Big Agribiz. In doing so, they allow all sorts of things that would not be considered kosher and denied many things that were effective and relatively harmless.

Heirlooms and OP (open pollinated) have their place as do Hybrids. If you are into seed saving then you want OP or heirloom. The most important thing is to find out from old timers what grows well in your area. Don't get sucked into the seed catalog hype.

Again, I strongly suggest getting in touch with your extension ervice and at least chatting with them.

As for soil pH, have the pH checked, learn how to do that from coop extension (they usually do a pH test for free--avoid the crappy kits and whiz-bang gizmos)
Lime or wood ash will make an acid soil more alkaline, it won't change your organic status in anyone's eyes, but you may not want an alkaline soil unless you are trying to grow a lawn. Most plants like slightly acid soils. Read up on what your plants like and again talk to old timers and cooperative extension.

and have fun.