| As you may have observed from your gardening | | | | locations, combine the samples and then perform the |
| experiences plants can be fussy things. The right | | | | test on the combined sample.A quick way to find out |
| location, amount of sunlight and 101 other factors | | | | the pH of an area is to look to see if there are any |
| influence your plant's growing ability. One factor which | | | | house hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) already |
| is very beneficial in understanding before putting that | | | | growing in the area. If so observe the color of its |
| new plant into the earth is soil pH. | | | | flowers. A soil pH of 6 or below will produce blue |
| | | | flowers while a soil pH of 6.8 or higher will produce |
| What is Soil pH? | | | | pink flowers. |
| Let's get all scientific for a moment and learn what | | | | |
| pH is. In chemistry pH is a measure of how acidic or | | | | How to Make Soil More Alkaline (Increase pH) |
| alkaline a solution is. Okay chemistry lesson over. | | | | If your soil is acidic or slightly acidic you can take |
| Basically soil pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline | | | | steps to make it more alkaline to accommodate the |
| your soil is. Soil pH is measured on a scale of 1 to 14. | | | | plants you want to put there. You can make your soil |
| If your soil has a pH value of less than 7 then you | | | | more alkaline (increase its pH value) by adding a form |
| have acidic soil. On the other hand if your soil has a | | | | of lime. Lime is a compound of calcium or calcium and |
| pH value of greater than 7 then you have alkaline soil. | | | | magnesium. It is usually applied in the form of ground |
| A pH value of 7 is neutral, meaning you have neither | | | | agricultural limestone, burnt lime or hydrated lime |
| acidic or alkaline soil. | | | | (slaked lime). The smaller the limestone particles then |
| | | | the quicker your soil will become more alkaline. For |
| The Effect of Soil pH on Plants | | | | this reason hydrated lime will offer the quickest |
| Knowing the pH value of your soil before planting is | | | | performance because it is slightly soluble in water so |
| very important as it has a direct influence on the | | | | it can permeate the soil quicker and reduce acidity |
| health of the plant. Each plant has its own | | | | faster.Increasing the pH of your soil is not an |
| recommended soil pH value range. The reason for | | | | overnight process and it is best to allow 2-3 months |
| this is that soil pH effects the availability of nutrients | | | | to allow the lime to neutralize the acidity of the soil |
| within the soil and plants have different nutrient | | | | acidity. |
| needs. For example the nutrient nitrogen, a very | | | | |
| important plant nutrient, is readily available in soil when | | | | How to Make Soil More Acidic (Decrease pH) |
| the pH value is above 5.5. Similarily the nutrient | | | | Some ornamental plants and fruit plants like |
| phosphorous is available when the pH value is | | | | blueberries require an acidic soil. To make your soil |
| between 6 and 7. If a plant is placed into the wrong | | | | more acidic (decrease its pH value) you can use |
| kind of soil it will be lacking in nutrients that it needs | | | | either aluminium sulphate or sulphur. Aluminium |
| which will promote disease. In general the best pH | | | | sulphate is the quickest acting as it will increase the |
| value range for soil is approximately 6 or 7 as this is | | | | acidity as soon as it disolves into the soil. The |
| the range in which most nutrients can be readily | | | | downsides are though that its effects can be short |
| available. | | | | term and it is possible to over-apply it.The more |
| | | | recommended but slower way to increase your soil |
| Finding Out pH of Soil | | | | pH is to use sulphur. Sulphur converts to sulphuric acid |
| Finding out the pH of soil is usually a trivial matter | | | | with the help of bacteria in the soil but this takes |
| and the kits to do so should be available at most | | | | time depending on factors like the presence of |
| good garden centres. Usually a pH testing kit will | | | | bacteria, texture of the soil and moisture levels. This |
| include a small container / test tube, testing solution | | | | could take months if conditions are not ideal. |
| and a color chart. A sample of soil is taken from your | | | | |
| garden, placed into the container / test tube and a | | | | Conclusion |
| few drops of testing solution are added. The | | | | Remember to always take into account soil pH |
| container is then shaken and left for a certain period | | | | when deciding what to plant in your soil. If you do |
| of time. The color of the sample in the container is | | | | not know what the pH of your soil is then test your |
| then compared against the color chart to determine | | | | soil and if needs be take steps mentioned earlier to |
| the pH value of the soil. Note that if you want to | | | | change the pH value over time. Best of luck!Visit the |
| determine the soil pH of an large area it may be a | | | | home and gardening forums at or start your free |
| good idea to take soil samples from many different | | | | home and garden blog. |