I've heard that pine needles make the ground very acidic. We just bought a place with a Western Larch dominating the yard.

Are their needles less acidic because they're shed every year?


AT

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Work like you don't need the money.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Love like you've never been hurt.

That's probably a good idea. My sweetie and I have been debating on whether or not a test kit was truly necessary, but I'd like to know a comparison between soil where the larch tree sheds and soil on the other side of the garden.

Thanks!


AT

* * * *
Work like you don't need the money.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Love like you've never been hurt.

what do you use for acid? is it lyme?
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If your soil is sour, or acid, it means it has a Ph of less than 7 (neutral) on a scale of 1 to 14. Agricultural lime or dolomite lime is used to correct acidity in soils. It takes a while to have an effect and should not be applied extremely heavily over a short period. A little bit often is better. About a handful to the square yard will raise the Ph about 1/2 a point over a number of months.
If your Ph is over 7 it is known as alkaline or sweet soil. Most plants prefer a slightly acid soil. So a Ph of say 6.5 would be great for most garden situations including annual flowers perennials and vegies. Some plants do not fit into this generalisation.
Examples are azaleas which prefer more acid soils and legumes such as sweetpeas which like a more alkaline soil.
A Ph test kit is an interesting and useful tool which can save a lot of heartache thru failure. $10 well spent.

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The secret is the soil.