How to Treat Alkaline Soils

According to the Utah State University Cooperative Extension, alkaline soils tend to carry lower levels of nutrients than neutral or acidic soils, causing problems such as iron deficiency in plants. Although many landscape plants are adapted to slightly alkaline pH levels, soil with a pH of 8.0 or higher should be treated to reduce alkalinity. Granular sulfur applied to the soil at three-month intervals will gradually bring the pH level down to neutral.

Trowel
Paper bag
Gloves
Granular sulfur
Garden rake
Garden hose

Instructions

- 1
  Remove grass, mulch and surface debris from the sampling area. Using a clean trowel, take a soil sample to a depth of 6 inches. Place the soil in a paper bag. Repeat the sampling in three to five additional areas in the garden.
- 2
  Send the soil samples to a local county extension service for testing to determine how alkaline the soil is.
- 3
  Spread granular sulfur evenly over the top of the soil surface at the rate recommended for the current pH level. Avoid direct contact with plants.
- 4
  Rake the sulfur lightly with a garden rake, then water the area thoroughly with a garden hose.
- 5
  Wait three months before repeating sulfur applications.

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