North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Jim Fruth" <jfruth@uslink.net>]

To Lower pH by                   Ground Sulfur (Pints/100 Sq. Ft.) 
Pounds/Acre
 This Amount           Sand 
Loam                Sand                               Loam
__________________________________________________________________________________

         0.5                     2/3 
2                     360                               1,100
         1.0                   1-1/3 
4                     725                                2,200
         1.5                      2 
5-1/2               1,000                               3,000
         2.0                   2-1/2 
8                   1,350                               4,400
         2.5                      3 
10                  1,650                               5,400

Soil pH changes are brought about by bacterial action.  Bacteria need a 
minimum of 3% organic matter (humus)
to do their work best.  Testing your pH can be done by a soils lab but if 
you use your own pH meter, the soil
must be thoroughly saturated with distilled water before taking a reading. 
Once your soil is properly acidified,
maintain acidity with Ammonium Sulfate.  For best results, soil should be 
acidified at least one season before
planting because acidification is a slow process.  Though it acidifies much 
faster than Elemental Sulfur,
Aluminum Sulfate is not recommended for use.  (There is a similar chart for 
elevating pH in soil.)

Jim Fruth
Brambleberry Farm
Pequot Lakes, MN  56472
www.bberryfarm.com
(218)568-8483 [Store]
(218)831-7018 [My Cell]

Does anyone else have any experience trying to move the soil
from a 7.4-7.0 down to 4.5-5.0?

Mark Angermayer
Zone 5 Kansas