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San Diego

Can you add too much soil sulfer to your soil to be bad for your plant? Every year I put in about 5 to 10 lbs over a 400 sq foot area. Our ph here in san diego is very hard to get down. Our water is very high in ph and our soil is naturally 7.6 or so. I put 10 lbs in this fall as usual with my ph at 7.4. I have never put sulfer in the spring and am thinking of doing it this year. My ph seems to always be back up around 7.4 to 7.5 the following year after the season, I believe due to our water. So what is the word on how much sulfer is too much? Thanks, Jim

2/26/2010 7:07:58 PM

Corryton, TN

According to my test recomendations you'll need to apply 2 lbs of elemental sulpher per 1000 sq ft for each one-tenth unit you want to lower (for medium textured soil) About 1/3 more for clay, 1/3 less for sand. If more than 30 lbs is needed per 1000 sq ft apply 2/3 of recomended amount and retest in 3 month. Sulpher + water = sulfuric acid that the reason for moderation.

2/27/2010 6:52:02 AM

[email protected]

Correct. Just watch the pH as it will rise. Sulfur is a common treatment for alkaline soil correction (in moderation).

2/27/2010 9:29:26 AM

San Diego

so since I added 10 lbs of sulfer this fall, I shoud retest this spring and add more if it is still high in ph? How long does it take for the ph to change fully after adding the sulfer?

2/27/2010 1:37:07 PM

Corryton, TN

Second test for sure. Time frame depends on rain/water. I've put down sulpher in the summer while preparing for blueberries that did not do much until fall rains. We had drought conditions. Under normal conditions 2-3 months is adequate. I'm not afraid to put it on in the spring if I have time to work it in and get a few good rains. Many fertilizer grade sulpher pellets are not 100% sulpher. Read the label and adjust accordingly.

2/28/2010 12:54:39 PM