Question
I have a friend that has flowers, Pansys, growing in a greenhouse that really look bad. He checked the PH and the PH is 7 and above. What would be a good way to lower the PH to 5.5-5.8?

Answer
Dennis, as a general rule of thumb, soil north and east of the Mississippi usually are acidic with a ph level around 6.5. Soil west of the Mississippi are generally more alkaline with a ph level of 7.5.

To lower the ph level, use ground rock sulfur. To raise the level, you need to apply agricultural lime. The general rule of thumb is 5 lbs. of sulfur per 100 square feet. This can vary based on the desired ph level and how much it needs to be corrected. Both lime and sulfur can be purchased at any reputable garden center or nursery.

When your goal is a balanced ph level of 7.0, ideal for most plants, the best advice I can give is to amend the soil with organic matter including peat, compost, and aged manure. These materials tend to neutralize the ph level and provide a constant supply of nutrients throughout the growing season.

I hope this answered your question. Good luck, and have a nice Thanksgiving.

Regards,

Mike