Question
What impact will acidity of pine trees have on a raised bed garden about 5-10 feet away? Looking to plant tomatoes, green peppers, carrots, basic salad stuff, and maybe some asparagus tucked in a corner.

Answer
Dawn, most vegetables, including the ones you've listed, prefer a ph level of 7.0, which is considered neutral. Pine needles will lower the ph level due to their high acidity. However, this can always be rectified by adding lime to the soil. All it will take is to measure the soil with a ph meter every spring. These kits can be purchased at most garden centers and are relatively inexpensive.

My bigger concern would be the shading of the garden once the trees get large. Unless they're on the north side of the garden, this will have an adverse effect on the amount of sunlight that reaches the garden each day. Since most vegetables need a minimum of eight hours of sun per day, this must be a consideration. If it is an issue, you will need to find another spot for the garden.

I hope this answered your question. Please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike