The amount shown is the approximate quantity to apply. The reaction of sulfur in soil is slow and may take a year or more to start a change in soil pH. A soil test should be done again one or two years after sulfur is applied to determine if more sulfur is needed. Many garden soils are low in organic matter because they contain less than 5 percent organic matter. As organic materials decompose in the soil, essential plant nutrients are made available for plant use, also. The use of organic mulch is a good practice in vegetable gardens.
Mulches suppress weed growth, conserve soil water, and keep the soil cooler.
A one to two inch thick layer of chopped leaves or straw, grass clippings, or compost is effective. When this mulch is mixed into the soil at the end of the growing season, the organic matter content of the soil increases slightly. It is not practical to increase the organic matter content of soil with one treatment, but after 5-10 years the incorporation of organic mulches raises the organic matter content. The use of organic fertilizers appeals to many home gardeners. Organic fertilizers are naturally occurring, non-manufactured materials that contain plant nutrients.