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Kutztown, PA

My soil PH right now per the lab is 7.2. Last season it was 7.1. I'd like to take it down some. I'm thinking of spreading some granular elemental sulfur. Any reason not to do that? I've read it takes a while to increase the acidity, i.e. reduce the PH numbers. Should I apply it now this fall?

10/24/2022 1:52:39 PM

Grittyville, WA

Its rather insoluble in my experience, maybe 6 months to decompose? I dont know of any downsides except it could kill a microbe or two if they are directly adjacent to it. I grew potatoes in it and it did not burn the plants, in my experience it was surprisingly inert in the pellet form, even akin to rock phosphate maybe. You could check your soil against the Langley calculator and use that as a third opinion. Because it may affect other nutrients? I didnt notice any affect, good or bad, from using a hugely excessive amount (thats another story) on the potatoes.

10/24/2022 3:35:46 PM

Watlington, UK

7.1 is fine, I wouldn't mess with it, you might create bigger problems

10/24/2022 5:16:45 PM

Deer Park, WI

6.3 is the optimum pH value for growing pumpkins, this has been shown repeatedly in university studies and aligns with the target on the pH scale where all nutrients are maximally available.

Elemental sulfur is the most effective way to reduce pH. Yes, it takes time because the process of turning elemental sulfur into sulfuric acid is a biological one, dependent upon soil microbes. Yes, you should apply this fall, because the sooner that process gets started, the sooner you reap benefit. Just be aware that any process dependent upon microbes requires soil temps above 50 degrees to make forward progress. Lastly, the rate of sulfur application is dependent upon soil type. Heavier clay soils require larger quantities of product that lighter textured sandy soils.

10/29/2022 11:43:25 AM

Deer Park, WI

One additional remark...the size of the pellet can be a limiting factor in the speed of pH modulation. This is a real estate issue...smaller particle sizes have larger surface areas which allow more microbes access to the product. Larger particles...smaller surface area...longer time to digest. If you want max speed and efficiency out of elemental sulfur, grind/pulverize it into a powder and spread as evenly as possible.

10/29/2022 11:45:31 AM