Soil pH
Soil pH is the measurement of acidity of
alkalinity in the soil. The soil pH determines whether of not your plants
can make use of the nutrients in the soil. PH is measured on a scale of
0 to 14. Most plants do well with pH 6.0 - 7.0.
Neutral is 6.5-7.5 pH
Alkaline is all readings higher than 7.5
Acid is all readings lower than 6.5
City water in most of the area is 8.0-8.5 (moderately alkaline)
If your soil is too alkaline, sulfur is the least expensive way to acidify
the soil. If your soil is too acid, lime is the least expensive way to
make the soil less acid.
Home tests
You can buy easy-to-use home pH tests at garden stores. You will add
a pinch of reactive agent and an pinch of soil into a little test tube
and fill it with distilled water.Then you match the color of the water
with a color scale that is provided for you.
Soil Testing
Lab
The University of Minnesota has a
soil testing laboratory that will test the pH of your soil.The advantage
of using this service is the University of Minnesota will recommend the
right materials and amounts for your situation and the plants you want
to grow.
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