| I planted a tree Rose of Sharon in Spring of 2008, is it ok to prune it now so it can grow fuller? Why do a PH test before I put lime down, and what is the lime for. How do I do a PH test? |
| Rose of Sharon flowers on the new growth of the season so pruning now, in early spring, will encourage lots of new growth and lots of flowers. Testing your soil's pH (acidity or alkalinity) will give you some idea of how acidic or alkaline it is. Some plants, such as blueberries, grow best in acidic soils and some plants such as lilacs grow best in alkaline soils. If your soil is too acidic, lime will help neutralize it. If your soil is too alkaline, sulfur will help neutralize it. A rose of sharon will grow in average garden soil and no adjustment is necessary. If you'd like to test your soil, you can purchase soil testing kits at your local garden center or you can collect a soil sample and have it tested by a private lab. Best wishes with your rose of sharon. |
