I live in southern New Jersey and I have very acidic soil. What can I do to fix this and what plants do well in this type of soil.

Many people will tell you that applying lime will raise the pH of your soil - and it will - but researchers in many parts of the country have found that mixing homemade compost into soil both mitigates pH extremes and allows plants to thrive in less than ideal conditions.

Along with the addition of compost, which is mandatory for any garden, oyster shells will help to provide a long-term amendment. It is best to crush them into smaller pieces. It would be a good idea to pay the nominal fee and get a good soil test done to get an idea of your overall soil condition first, that way you know exactly where you stand and they will even give you recommendations as to how and how much you need to correct your soil. Make sure to inform them that you are organic!

The advice has all been good. I might add bone meal. Make sure it is not "enriched". That usually means some sort of chemical in the bone meal to add other nutrients like nitrogen or iron. 100% ground bone meal is good. I envy your acidic soil though. I am trying to grow blueberries in soil which nature tries to keep at 7-8 ph. Try growing blueberries; if your ph is between 4.5 and 5.5, they should do well. Azaleas like acidic soil too, but I don't know if they like your zone (6?).

Here in central Pennsylvania, our soil is also acidic (which is why Mountain Laurel is our state flower: a native acid-lover). None-the-less, I've found that adding large amounts of compost to my beds when I initially prepare them allows me to have mixed perennial beds of all kinds of plants, those that like acidic soil & those that don't, with no other amendments needed to change the pH. I side-dress everything with composted manure every spring & fall, covered with shredded leaves or pine bark, & the compost seems to take care of all pH problems. In fact, I use almost NO other products on my borders. Soil with lots of organic matter seems to be the total answer.

You asked about what grows in acidic soil? Well, here are a few: Lilacs, Peonies, Azaleas, Rhododendron, Forsythia, Irises, Buddleia,Viburnam, lillies, daffodils, heather, roses,Monarda, and many many more. All of you out there, please get your local garden book. Mine is Southern Living. West Coast is Sunset. They are invaluable. They answer nearly all the questions I have read here......Good luck, masterg