If you are planning to add more organic matter, you should certainly make sure whatever you are adding is neutral pH or even slightly acidic to help your pH problem. But since you have a lot of organic matter already, I would concentrate on fixing the pH problem as a top priority. Just yesterday I used some soluble aluminum sulfate on some acid loving plants. It said you can dissolve it in water to use for container plants as well. Since we are having drought I did that for some shrubs. 1 Tbsp per gallon. You might want to find a small bag of this and use it for watering to see if it helps your plant growth. You can also use cheap distilled vinegar, diluted in a bucket. Only takes 1/4 cup per bucket to bring the pH down. It's probably the most temporary but since you're in the growing season, fast results are important. Sulfur is a good idea too, but it works more slowly since it is not soluble AND has to be metabolized into acid before it does any good. Sulfur is a good thing to dig into the entire bed before planting, or in the fall after your garden is done so it can cook during the winter and hopefully adjust the pH a bit. If anyone here has comments on the above, please chime in.

Since your research suggests they like acid soil, MissSherry, I would be hesitant to add lime to the soil, with will raise the PH. I have managed to get Spicebush to grow 3 years and it always dies the 4th year - weird, huh? I planted my current one in the front yard amid pine tree, honeysuckle, hackberry, etc., so I can better monitor it. I have also been feeding with an organic fert called LadyBug John's (Austin, Texas origin). It is a 3-1.5-2 ratio, which is the ratio recommended by Al on the container forum. He's a physicist who has soil and nutrients down to a science, literally. Anyway, this organic fert is more of a soil builder than a plant fertilizer with micronutes and all. I have been giving in a 1/2 feed about every 3 or 4 waterings. It has responded well to this. My Spicebush is located where it gets shade to dappled shade to some West sun (only about 1 hour), like it would if it grew at a forest edge. So far, so good, but it's only the 2nd year. The true test would be the 4th year for me. Sandy would be helpful since she has had hers for a few years now. I'll be interested to see if she responds here, too. The problems with Sassafras is that it is so hard to transplant. I've tried 3 times and failed. If you could get a very small seedling or seeds to start with, it might be a better solution. I don't think the seed is viable for very long, with fresh working best. If you know someone who has Sassafras and get either fresh seeds or a small volunteer, that would be great! Susan

I picked up an I. tinctoria for a friend earlier in the year. I took a cutting. It rooted and appears to be doing great. I just potted it up in a 1 gallon pot: It turns out my friend's plant isn't doing so well. It might not make it. Would it make more sense to take a cutting at some point and root it--if so, when? Or should I wait for it to go dormant and give her a tuber? Will a plant this size make enough tubers that one can be separated easily? Will it make so many tubers that it needs to be in a bigger pot this year? I just repotted it when it shot out a thick red root through one of the drainage holes.

1. Tell us what you're growing. Give as many names for us as possible for cultural and identification purposes, for example: "yard long bean" aka "asparagus bean" Latin name: Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis. 2. When did you plant it? What day or week of what month? Did you start it from seed inside and move it outside? If so, when? Did you direct sow seeds in the garden? When? 3. What type of soil did you plant in? Have you had your soil tested? Are you using compost or other amendments? 4. How do you water and when? Overhead? Drip irrigation? Early in the morning? Late in the evening? How often do you water? 5. What are the temperatures in your area? Daytime temperatures? Nighttime temperatures? 6. What does your seed packet say? Are the seeds from a commercial source? Did they come from family or friends? 7. Are the leaves yellowing, dry, have spots, have a white film, black spots, insects? Try to answer these questions to the best of your ability and we will be better able to help you.