Most of us have heard of the benefits of soil ph, but many of us don't know exactly what it is. The good news is that soil ph is something that you can easily measure. And the better news is that you can improve your soil ph to help your plants grow and thrive. Keep reading to learn how to test soil ph.
What is soil pH, and why is it significant?
The pH of the soil is the most important factor in determining whether a plant can grow. If the soil pH is too low, the roots cannot absorb the nutrients that the plant needs to grow. If the pH is too high, the roots will not be able to absorb the nutrients either.
The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, where 7 is neutral. The soil PH should range between 5.5 and 6.5. If the pH is in this range, plants can thrive.
The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service classifies soil pH ranges as follows:
| Semantic description | pH range |
|---|---|
| Ultra acidic | < 3.5 |
| Extremely acidic | 3.5–4.4 |
| Very strongly acidic | 4.5–5.0 |
| Strongly acidic | 5.1–5.5 |
| Moderately acidic | 5.6–6.0 |
| Slightly acidic | 6.1–6.5 |
| Neutral | 6.6–7.3 |
| Slightly alkaline | 7.4–7.8 |
| Moderately alkaline | 7.9–8.4 |
| Strongly alkaline | 8.5–9.0 |
| Very strongly alkaline | > 9.0 |
0 to 6=acidic
7=neutral
8 and above=alkaline
The pH of the soil can be affected by the type of fertilizer used and the amount of organic matter in the soil. It is also affected by the type of plant being grown. If you plant a lot of alkalinizing plants like blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, etc., your soil will become more acidic. If your soil is too acidic, it will make your plants sick.
How often do you test the soil?
It is advised to test your soil's pH and nutrient condition every three to five years for maximum plant growth. Any season of the year is acceptable for taking soil samples, however fall is recommended. So, you can receive your findings in time for spring and make any necessary corrections.
How to test soil pH?
There are two main ways to test soil PH: using vinegar and baking soda, and using test strips.
Method 1. Using vinegar and baking soda
Step 1. Gather two samples of soil
To test the pH of your soil at home, first shovel a small amount of soil from your garden into two clean containers. Take some soil from a few inches below the ground. There should be around 1 cup of soil in each container. Remove any pebbles, sticks, or other debris.
Take a mixed soil sample for the better result. For instance, if you are planting a single garden bed, take samples from several parts of the garden and mix them for testing.
Step 2. Test for alkalinity
Pour 1/2 cup of water into one soil sample container and stir with a spoon. Next, Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar. The pH of the soil is alkaline if there is bubbling or fizzing action.
This chemical reaction happens when an acid (vinegar) comes into touch with an alkaline substance (soil). The pH of the soil increases with the strength of the fizzing action. Any response to this test suggests that you have alkaline soil because most soils are inherently somewhat acidic.
Step 3. Test for Acidity
Now combine your second soil container with 1/2 cup of water. Next, a Add 1/2 cup of baking soda. If the soil fizzles or bubbles, it is acidic.
You can see this reaction when an alkaline material comes into touch with acidic soil (baking soda). Once more, the intensity of the activity shows how acidic the soil is. Because most soils are already slightly acidic, very little fizzing is normal. A strong response, though, can be a sign that your soil is extremely acidic.
Method 2. Test With Strips
Step 1. Dig for soil sample
Gather mixed soil samples from your planting area. Using your trowel, dig it a few inches below the ground and then put the soil in your clean container. you'll need between half and one cup of soil. Remove any debris and break up any clumps.
Step 2. Add distilled water
Fill your container with distilled water until the soil level is reached. Stir the mixture, then wait for about 30 minutes.
Step 3. Drain the sample
Pass the soil sample through a coffee filter.
Step 4. Employ the pH Test Strip
Dip the soil pH test strip into the liquid. Pay particular attention to the test's instructions for how long to soak the test strip in the liquid. When the test strip turns a color, check the pH by comparing the color to the chart on the test strip box.
FAQs
1. Are home soil test kits reliable?
In general, home soil test kits aren't particularly accurate when it comes to nutrient levels. However, they are quite reliable for determining a range for your pH levels.
2. What role does pH have in soil health?
The amount of nutrients and other substances that are soluble in soil water and hence available to plants depends on the soil's pH. Some nutrients are more readily available in an acidic environment, whereas others are more readily available in an alkaline environment.
3. How is soil pH maintained?
It is usual practice to apply a substance that contains some kind of lime to soils to reduce their acidity. The most common form of limestone is ground agricultural limestone. Different types of soil will need varying amounts of lime to change the pH value of the soil.
