pH Levels in Garden Soil
Do you give your garden as much love and attention as your neighbor,
yet your garden is not as healthy and productive? Chances are, your soil
pH level may be out of balance. "pH" is a measure of your soil's acidity
or alkalinity. Each plant in your garden or yard, has an ideal pH range that
it will thrive in. This ideal range varies from plant to plant. If your garden
soil is outside of this ideal range, the vital nutrients and minerals your
plants need may become "locked up" in the soil, and the roots are unable
to absorb them.
Sweet, sour, or bitter? These are common terms to describe soil ph.
Sweet soil is the mid range, or ideal pH levels for most plants. Sour soils
are acidic soil, with a low pH level. Some plants prefer a slightly acidic
soil. Bitter is used to describe alkaline soils or high pH soil.
Why do nutrients get "locked up" in the soil? The mid range of the
pH scale is the optimal range for bacterial growth to promote decomposition,
a process that releases nutrients and minerals, making them available to
your plants. Mid range pH is also the ideal range for growth of soil
microorganisms that convert nitrogen in the air into a form that your plants
can use. Outside of the ideal range, both processes are increasingly inhibited.
Tip: Don't forget the houseplants. The soil in your pots and containers
may not be ideal. "Ya never know until you test 'em.
Testing your soil's pH (and nutrient levels, too) should be a routine
task for gardeners. It is also a fun task if you test it yourself. Even if
your garden has been productive over the years, soil testing can be beneficial.
Soil ph can get out of balance for a number of reasons. Most often, using
inorganic fertilizers will make your soil more acidic over time. Adding
amendments to the soil can also alter your soil's pH. If you do not test
your soil occasionally, you are passing by the opportunity to maximize your
plants' potential in the size, health and quality of flowers, vegetables
and fruits.
Find the ideal soil pH level for your favorite plants:
Raising and lowering pH:
If your soil is acidic, you will want to increase soil pH. Lime is most commonly
used. It is readily available in your local garden store.
To lower the pH of alkaline soils, compost and manures are the best materials
to use.
Changing your soils pH takes time. It is best to work on your soils' pH in
the fall or early spring. Planting time is too late.
Soil testers are invaluable to measure soil pH. If you don't have this vital
garden toy, err tool,
See our Soil Testers now!
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