Understanding about soil pH testing and adjustment can help you a lot when you want to have a successful gardening outcome. Some plants need acid soil while others prefer alkaline soil. What kind of soil do you have? Test it out and find out! And do you know that you can also make adjustments to the soil pH level, meaning that you can change it into acidic or alkaline?

Soil pH Explained

Before we get to soil pH testing and adjustment, we need to talk about the basic concept of soil pH level. We are talking about soil’s acidity or alkalinity measurement. The pH level is often measured with scale 1 to 14. 7 would be the neutral mark. If your soil measurement is under 7, it would be considered acid. On the other hand, if it’s above 7, it would be viewed as alkaline.

And in case you don’t know it, alkaline soil is often called sweet, while acid type is called sour. 5.5 pH level is definitely more acidic (or more sour) than 6.5 pH level. On the other hand, 8.5 pH level is viewed as more sweet (or more alkaline) than 7.5 pH level.

The Importance of pH Level Knowledge

From a scientific point of view, pH refers to the level of hydrogen ion concentration within the soil. But for your gardening hobby, you need to know what type of soil you have: is it acid, neutral, or alkaline. Again, it refers to the level of nutrients needed by the plant so the root can absorb it. The absorption process can run smoother and faster when the pH level is within the acceptable range. For instance, blueberries, gardenias, camellias, or azaleas like super acid soil with pH levels from 4 to 5.5. What if they are planted in too sweet soil? The leaves will turn yellow (or known as developing chlorosis) or the plants won’t produce fruits or flowers at all.

Ways to Test the Soil

There are some possible ways for soil pH testing and adjustment that you can do. The first one is that you can use traditional kitchen supplies.

  • You need to dig a soil sample. Try to dig from 4 to 6 inches below the surface.
  • Clean the soil up from debris, sticks, and stones.
  • In a container (you can use a glass container), place the soil and then add distilled water. The soil should turn into mud now.
  • Add half cup of vinegar and give it a stir. If the soil bubbles, foams, or fizzes, it means that your soil is alkaline.

What should you do when nothing happens – at least, you don’t see any bubbles? You need to repeat the process. But this time, add half a cup of baking soda (NOT vinegar). If it bubbles, foams, or fizzes, then your soil is the acidic type.

Using the Soil Strip
If you aren’t sure about the result, you can always use the soil strip or the pH testing kit.

  • Repeat the process to fill up the glass container with the distilled water.
  • You need to agitate the soil by swirling or mixing it up.
  • And then let it rest for 30 minutes.
  • Pour the sample into another container, and filter it up with a coffee filter. Only liquids should pass and not the solids.
  • Dip the strip to the liquid. Each strip has a different usage operation. Read the direction of how long you should leave the strip within the liquid. When you see some color changes, compare it to the chart so you know the pH level.

Changing the pH Level

If you want to increase the pH level (meaning you want to turn your soil more alkaline), add bone meal or limestone. If you want to lower the pH level (meaning you want to make it acidic), add peat moss and sulfur (or soil acidified).

This change, however, will only be temporary. It won’t last forever because the soil will revert its condition to the true original condition. This is why you should test your soil regularly. Don’t hesitate to develop a plan for soil pH testing and adjustment on a regular basis.

Photo by Gabriel Jimenez on Unsplash