Soil Testing: The pH Level Test

Planning to have a garden or you already have one? Are your plants growing pretty well. One of the important factors that affect the growth of your plants is the soil. The soil is very essential on the growth of your plants for it is where the plants get its nutrients. So before anything else, you must know your soil very well. Soil analysis or soil test should be done in order or you to know the soil’s composition, texture, drainage, acidity and mineral density. Through this knowledge, you will able to know what is the right action you must do to enhance your soil and what plants is compatible to them.

soil testing

Did you know that the garden soil is made up of different components which is very essential for the growth of your plants. It has dissolve minerals, organic matters, and inorganic materials like sand. These components are needed for the your plants to grow healthy.

• Acidity Level or pH Test

The pH test will determine how alkaline and acidic your soil is. This is the basic and starting point of soil analysis. The pH of the soil measure the level of lime and calcium present on the soil. The pH is scaled from zero to fourteen having seven the neutral pH. This means that a pH of higher than 7.0 means the soil is alkaline and having a pH of lower than 7.0 means the soil is acidic.

The pH level of the soil also indicates the level of three important elements in the soil needed for yield of plants, leaf development and fruit production. These three elements are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

acid loving Azaleas

• Why is knowing the pH level of the soil important?

Maybe by now you’ve been asking yourself the importance of this test to you as a gardener. Well, by knowing the pH level of your soil you will now have the baseline data for you to adjust depending on the needs of your plants. Plants do have soil preference for you to follow in order for them to grow better. Azaleas and Hydrangea, for instance, is known as an acid loving plant. Knowing the baseline of your soil will make it easier for you to adjust the pH level of soils for these plants.

• How to test the pH level of the Soil?

There is actually a pH tests kits available in the garden store. These kits are fairly accurate as long as you follow the instructions carefully. You can also use vinegar in testing the soil. Just get a handful of dirt and out it in a container. Sprinkle some vinegar on the dirt, if it fizzes then it is alkaline. But maybe you are not really sure, you can always contact or go to your local agricultural extension to ask for information where to take your sample for testing. They usually test your soil and gave you advice and recommendation to have a the best condition of your soil.

pH test Kit

Soil testing, as often neglected by some gardeners, is actually a big factor on the success of your garden. Although there are a lot of other soil test to do, knowing the pH level of your soil is the first step. Hang on for more soil test featured in my blog.

Happy Gardening!