Soil pH PDF Print E-mail

Soils are either acid or alkaline depending on their content of calcium (lime).  Soils containing calcium (lime) are alkaline and soils containing less calcium (lime) are acidic.  So, therefore, pH measures the alkalinity of your soil. These measurements range from 4.0 (acid) to 10.0 (alkaline).  A pH of below 7 is acidic and above 7 is alkaline.

METHODS OF FINDING THE SOIL PH:

1.  Indicator species:

a.  Calcicole:  Plants adapted to alkaline soils, for example Alpines, Clover, Hypericum, Yew and Buckthorn.

b.  Calcifuge:  Plants adapted to acid soils, for example Heathers, Rhododendron, Azalea and Bracken.

2.  Indicator (Litmus) paper.

3.  Electronic probes.

4.  Indicator solutions.

METHODS FOR TESTING AN AREA OF THE GARDEN FOR ITS PH:

1.  Look at your garden and divide it into different regions (i.e. beds, lawn, etc).

2.  Take two samples from each region.  It is recommended to take at least 25 samples.

3.  Samples should be from the top 150mm of soil.

4.  Mix all the samples together.

5.  Test the entire mix.

This should give you an average pH of your garden.