As all gardeners know, different strokes for different folks apply as much to plants as it does to people. Some plants such as azaleas and camellias are acid-loving, while others such as clematis prefer a much more alkaline soil to call home
By Esmee McCornall
Soil acidity or alkalinity is defined by the amount of calcium-rich lime in the soil and the type of soil itself. Soil acidity and alkalinity are expressed by their pH; a pH lower than 7.0 connotes an acid soil while one with a pH higher than 7.0 is alkaline.
As a rule, soils found in moist climates tend to be more acidic while those in dry climates are more alkaline. For maximum plant growth and health, you must adjust your soil to suit the acid needs of the plants you plan to use.
Most garden supply centers sell soil testing kits, and some will even test a soil sample for you. Also, if you live near a university with an agricultural extension, your chances of getting a professionally conducted soil test are very high.
If you go the soil pH test kit route, your kit will probably consist of a test tube, some testing solution and a color chart. Put a sample of your soil in the tube, add a few drops of test solution, shake it up and leave it for an hour or so to settle.
The solution in the tube will change, after which you can compare the color of your sample with the color chart that came with the kit to determine the pH of your soil sample. Higher end soil testing kits also usually include a booklet that will tell you how to interpret the results of your tests.
When you’ve identified the pH of your soil, you can change it to be more acid or alkaline depending upon the result your test obtained and the soil needs of the plants you want to plant. Usually, it’s easier to make soils more alkaline than it is to make them more acid—and because different soil types react in differently to added lime, clay soils and peaty soils require more lime than sandier soils.
Making highly acidic soil more balanced can be a lengthy project. It’s better to test your soil each year and make the indicated adjustments gradually. In addition to lime, adding hardwood ash, bone meal, crushed marble or crushed oyster shells will also help to raise the soil pH.
If your soil needs to be more acidic, you can use sulfur to lower the pH. Mix the sulfur thoroughly into the soil before planting. Sawdust, composted leaves, wood chips, cottonseed meal, leaf mold and peat moss will also lower the soil pH.
New gardeners rarely understand the whole issue of pH soil balance, but as you become comfortable with your new hobby and want to introduce a wide variety of plant species, it is important that your soil condition are optimal for your garden plants. For many, the process may seem complicated but it really needn’t be. Just test your soil conditions once a year and then either plant in that area according to the soil, or adjust the soil conditions to meet the needs of your existing plants.
By Esmee McCornall
Soil acidity or alkalinity is defined by the amount of calcium-rich lime in the soil and the type of soil itself. Soil acidity and alkalinity are expressed by their pH; a pH lower than 7.0 connotes an acid soil while one with a pH higher than 7.0 is alkaline.
As a rule, soils found in moist climates tend to be more acidic while those in dry climates are more alkaline. For maximum plant growth and health, you must adjust your soil to suit the acid needs of the plants you plan to use.
Most garden supply centers sell soil testing kits, and some will even test a soil sample for you. Also, if you live near a university with an agricultural extension, your chances of getting a professionally conducted soil test are very high.
If you go the soil pH test kit route, your kit will probably consist of a test tube, some testing solution and a color chart. Put a sample of your soil in the tube, add a few drops of test solution, shake it up and leave it for an hour or so to settle.
The solution in the tube will change, after which you can compare the color of your sample with the color chart that came with the kit to determine the pH of your soil sample. Higher end soil testing kits also usually include a booklet that will tell you how to interpret the results of your tests.
When you’ve identified the pH of your soil, you can change it to be more acid or alkaline depending upon the result your test obtained and the soil needs of the plants you want to plant. Usually, it’s easier to make soils more alkaline than it is to make them more acid—and because different soil types react in differently to added lime, clay soils and peaty soils require more lime than sandier soils.
Making highly acidic soil more balanced can be a lengthy project. It’s better to test your soil each year and make the indicated adjustments gradually. In addition to lime, adding hardwood ash, bone meal, crushed marble or crushed oyster shells will also help to raise the soil pH.
If your soil needs to be more acidic, you can use sulfur to lower the pH. Mix the sulfur thoroughly into the soil before planting. Sawdust, composted leaves, wood chips, cottonseed meal, leaf mold and peat moss will also lower the soil pH.
New gardeners rarely understand the whole issue of pH soil balance, but as you become comfortable with your new hobby and want to introduce a wide variety of plant species, it is important that your soil condition are optimal for your garden plants. For many, the process may seem complicated but it really needn’t be. Just test your soil conditions once a year and then either plant in that area according to the soil, or adjust the soil conditions to meet the needs of your existing plants.
How to Test your Garden Soil for Acidity Levels
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