Sulfur must be washed into the soil immediately after application or it will severely burn grass or shallow plant roots. Even with the utmost care some burn may occur after an application of sulfur. The best approach is to apply an acid forming fertilizer such as ammonium sulfate. This material applied at the rate of 5 pounds per 1000 square feet of area will acidify the soil without burning the grass. Normally, lime or dolomite is used to increase the pH or sweeten the soil.
Lime contains calcium carbonate while dolomite contains both calcium and magnesium carbonate.
To increase the soil pH one unit, say from 5 to 6, apply about 50 pounds of dolomite or lime over a 1000 square foot area. Lime materials are slow to react so six months may be required before the soil pH rises. To sum up the pH problem follow these steps. Second, learn the pH preference of ornamentals to be planted. Last, if necessary, raise or lower the pH of the soil to best suit the plant.