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Ornata · 07-03-2005, 03:57 PM

[quote=Alan Gabriel]"Alex Woodward" wrote in message
...
I would like opinions on whether an application of sulphur will turn soil
to
acidic or not. Does it work and are their any side effects?

Don't wate your time or money. If you try to fight against nature - nature
will win every time.

Grow thing that thrive in your soil. If you want to grow acid lovers, plant
them in containers with the approprite soil.

--
Regards,
Alan.
QUOTE]
I agree with you that it's pointless trying to change the underlying character of your soil, e.g. if you garden on shallow chalk, you'll never be able to plant out your camellias. However, sometimes the soil is alkaline due to human intervention. Our very long London garden was full of buried builders' rubble, which took us months to dig out. The soil is consequently very alkaline, and as it's predominantly heavy clay, I think it'll take quite a long time to wash out. We've been adding lots of leafmould, composted bark, etc., but I'm wondering how long it will take before the soil reverts to a more neutral pH.

The garden is surrounded by mature, deciduous trees and has quite a "woodland" feel to it. I would love to be able to plant out some of our Acer palmatum which are growing in pots, but I don't think I'll be able to do so for a few years. If there's any chance that adding sulphur will help, then I'm tempted to try it on at least a small area.

I curse those builders.