Download Comments for pH, lime and sulfur recommendations

Comments for pH, lime and sulfur recommendations
These apply to all ornamentals samples – homeowner, commercial landscape and
commercial field nursery
(Deciduous trees and shrubs)
If pH is 5.5 - 6.5:
An appropriate pH range for most deciduous trees and shrubs is 5.5-6.5. No lime is
recommended at this time.
If pH is less than 5.5:
An appropriate pH range for most deciduous trees and shrubs is 5.5-6.5. To lime to pH
6.0, apply and incorporate ___ lbs calcitic lime or ___ lbs dolomitic lime per 1000
square feet. Dolomitic lime contains magnesium in addition to calcium, and should be
used if the soil test indicates low or very low magnesium levels. Where possible, lime
should be incorporated in the top 6" of soil before planting. If applying lime to
established plantings, broadcast it on the soil surface and rake it in lightly.
If pH is over 6.5:
An appropriate pH range for most deciduous trees and shrubs is 5.5-6.5. No action is
necessary if plants are growing satisfactorily and appear healthy. If trees and shrubs
develop signs of chlorosis (yellowing) on young leaves, you may wish to try to reduce the
pH with sulfur. To lower the pH to 6.0, apply _____ lbs elemental sulfur per 1000
square feet. Where possible, sulfur should be incorporated into the top 6" of soil before
planting. If applying sulfur to established plantings, do not exceed a rate of 10-20 lbs per
1000 square feet per application. Broadcast it on the soil surface and water it in
immediately. Reapply after 3-4 weeks if necessary.
If soils contain large amounts of calcium or magnesium carbonates, reduction of pH with
sulfur will be minimal and short-lived. The best strategy for these soils is to select plants
that tolerate high pH.
(Evergreen trees and shrubs)
If pH is 5.0 - 6.0:
An appropriate pH range for most narrowleaf evergreen trees and shrubs (conifers) is 5.06.0. No lime is recommended at this time.
Exceptions are arborvitae, taxus (yew), and Colorado blue spruce which prefer a pH of
6.0 – 7.0. For these plants, lime to pH 6.5 by applying and incorporating ___ lbs calcitic
lime or ___ lbs dolomitic lime per 1000 square feet. Dolomitic lime contains
magnesium in addition to calcium, and should be used if the soil test indicates low or
very low magnesium levels. Where possible, lime should be incorporated in the top 6" of
soil before planting. If applying lime to established plantings, broadcast it on the soil
surface and rake it in lightly.
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If pH is less than 5.0:
An appropriate pH range for most narrowleaf evergreen trees and shrubs (conifers) is 5.06.0. To lime to pH 6.0, apply and incorporate ___ lbs calcitic lime or ___ lbs dolomitic
lime per 1000 square feet.
Exceptions are arborvitae, taxus (yew), and Colorado blue spruce which prefer a pH of
6.0 – 7.0. To lime to pH 6.5, apply and incorporate ___ lbs calcitic lime or ___ lbs
dolomitic lime per 1000 square feet.
Dolomitic lime contains magnesium in addition to calcium, and should be used if the soil
test indicates low or very low magnesium levels. Where possible, lime should be
incorporated 6-8" deep before planting. If applying lime to established plantings,
broadcast it on the soil surface and rake it in lightly.
If pH is over 6.0:
An appropriate pH range for most narrowleaf evergreen trees and shrubs (conifers) is 5.06.0. Exceptions are arborvitae, taxus (yew), and Colorado blue spruce which prefer a pH
of 6.0 – 7.0. No action is necessary if plants are growing satisfactorily and appear
healthy. If trees and shrubs develop signs of chlorosis (yellowing) or red needles, you
may wish to try to reduce the pH with sulfur. To lower the pH to 6.0, apply _____ lbs
elemental sulfur per 1000 square feet. Where possible, sulfur should be incorporated into
the top 6" of soil before planting. If applying sulfur to established plantings, do not
exceed a rate of 10-20 lbs per 1000 square feet per application. Broadcast it on the soil
surface and water it in immediately. Reapply after 3-4 weeks if necessary.
If soils contain large amounts of calcium or magnesium carbonates, reduction of pH with
sulfur will be minimal and short-lived. The best strategy for these soils is to select plants
that tolerate high pH.
(Broadleaf evergreens such as rhododendrons, azaleas, pieris, leucothoe and other
ericaceous plants)
If pH is 4.5 - 5.5:
An appropriate pH range for broadleaf evergreens is 5.5-6.5. No lime is recommended at
this time.
If pH is less than 4.5:
An appropriate pH range for most narrowleaf evergreen trees and shrubs (conifers) is 4.55.5. To lime to pH 5.0, apply and incorporate ___ lbs calcitic lime or ___ lbs dolomitic
lime per 1000 square feet. Dolomitic lime contains magnesium in addition to calcium,
and should be used if the soil test indicates low or very low magnesium levels. Where
possible, lime should be incorporated in the top 6" of soil before planting. If applying
lime to established plantings, sprinkle it evenly on the soil surface.
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If pH is over 5.5:
An appropriate pH range for most broadleaf evergreens is 4.5-5.5. However, no
adjustment is necessary if plants are growing satisfactorily and appear healthy. If shrubs
develop signs of chlorosis (yellowing) on young leaves, you may wish to try to reduce the
pH with sulfur. To lower the pH, apply _____ lbs elemental sulfur per 1000 square feet.
Where possible, sulfur should be incorporated into the top 6" of soil before planting. If
applying sulfur to established plantings, do not exceed a rate of 10-20 lbs per 1000 square
feet per application. Broadcast it on the soil surface and water it in immediately. Reapply
after 3-4 weeks if necessary.
If soils contain large amounts of calcium or magnesium carbonates, reduction of pH with
sulfur will be minimal and short-lived. The best strategy for these soils is to select plants
that tolerate high pH.
(Annuals and Perennials)
If pH is 5.8 - 6.5:
An appropriate pH range for most annuals and perennials is 5.8-6.5. No lime is
recommended at this time.
If pH is less than 5.7:
An appropriate pH range for most annuals and perennials is 5.8-6.5. To lime to pH 6.5,
apply and incorporate ___ lbs calcitic lime or ___ lbs dolomitic lime per 1000 square
feet. Dolomitic lime contains magnesium in addition to calcium, and should be used if the
soil test indicates low or very low magnesium levels. Where possible, lime should be
incorporated in the top 6" of soil before planting. If applying lime to established
plantings, broadcast it on the soil surface and rake it in lightly.
If pH is over 6.5:
An appropriate pH range for most annuals and perennials is 5.8-6.5. Before planting a
new flower bed, lower the pH to 6.0 by incorporating _____ lbs elemental sulfur per
1000 square feet. Work it in to the top 6 inches of soil.
For established perennials, no adjustment is necessary if plants are growing satisfactorily
and appear healthy. If plants develop signs of chlorosis (yellowing) on young leaves, you
may wish to try to reduce the pH with sulfur. To lower the pH to 6.0, apply _____ lbs
elemental sulfur per 1000 square feet. Where possible, sulfur should be incorporated
before planting. If applying sulfur to established plantings, do not exceed a rate of 10-20
lbs per 1000 square feet per application. Broadcast it on the soil surface and water it in
immediately. Reapply after 3-4 weeks if necessary.
If soils contain large amounts of calcium or magnesium carbonates, reduction of pH with
sulfur will be minimal and short-lived. The best strategy for these soils is to select plants
that tolerate high pH.
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