Dropping acid

We’re talking soil here, people!!!

One thing that gets overlooked pretty easily when you’re envisioning a landscape is pH of the soil.

Generally, up here on the Northshore (Mandeville, Covington, Abita Springs, etc. ) we have a ton of pine trees. Pine Needles and park bark are acidic by nature. when they fall to the ground and decompose in the soil, they do lower the pH. Meaning that, if your planning on putting plants into your unamended native soil, you should be looking for plants that enjoy an acidic environment.

That being said, not all is lost. Most soil purchased from a landscaping store will have a relatively neutral pH. Amending your soil with this will broaden the range of plants that you can put in the ground.

In addition, sulphur can be added to lower pH, and Lime can be added to increase it.