How do I amend the PH level of soil to grow grass?

Good evening TBT.FSU91,

I hope you had a great day. Your question has many many ifs??

First of all, your lawn may not need any fertilizer. When your soil is too acidity this condition stops your grass, plants, and trees from absorbing/taking in nutrients. I have included my favorite website which explains. Therefore adding more nutrients may not be the answer to your problem.

http://www.gardenersnet.com/atoz/ph.htm

Secondly, how do you know your soil’s pH? Have you tested your soil? Slightly acidic soil will not harm most plants or grass unless it is below 6.5. You should head for Home Depot or any good gardening center and purchase a pH Soil Testing Meter. The Meters are easy to use and last for years. Make sure you purchase the combination meter which also test for the nutrients in your soil.

Thirdly, if you find your soil is too acidic, your soil will have to be treated with “lime”. I would stay away from sulfur products because of burning. The RIGHT and BEST way to apply lime is by using a “Lawn Aerator”. You can rent or purchase. A power or manual depends on the size of your lawn. Manual is much cheaper.

http://aerate-lawn.com/

http://www.ehow.com/how_7427294_add-lime-soil.html

MOST IMPORTANT: This could be your main problem.

Pine needles, especially when they are green, contain a chemical called “terpenes” which stops many seeds from germinating and interferes with new growth. Notice, if the woods around your house has a lot of pine trees with pine needles on the ground, than there should be very few plants growing under the trees. This is because of the chemical terpenes in the green pine needles.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_6155464_effect-pine-tree...

Pine needles have very little nutrimental value, but they make great compost/mulch. In fact, people pay for bags of dry pine needles. The problem is they decompose very slowly. I mix my pine needles with chicken manure. Place the mixture in a compost pile or bags. The heat from the chicken manure helps decompose the pine needles. Chicken manure is very high in nitrogen and other trace nutrients. After four (4) months, you will have a great/the best fertilizer for almost any vegetable, tree, plant, and especially your lawn.

You and your family have a beautiful day. Peace, from Los Angeles.

Soil where pine trees grow is acidic (low pH).

Amend you soil with enough dolomite limestone to raise the pH to around 6.

Mere fertilizer will not do much to help your situation.

Plants of all types have a hard time taking up nutrients when the soil is too acidic.

Yes you can but I don't know what kind because it depends on the fertilizer