What is soil pH?
Soil pH is a measurement that tells us a soil’s acidity. A pH below 7 indicates an acid soil, while a value above 7 indicates soil that is alkaline. A pH of exactly 7 is called ‘neutral’. Blueberries and azaleas perform best with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. Soils with a pH higher than 5.8 may cause iron chlorosis. You’ll notice yellowing near leaf veins. If your initial soil pH is 7.3 or higher, you may find it difficult to create a suitable environment for acid-loving plants, even with amendments. Soil pH should be adjusted BEFORE planting, so conduct a soil test to determine your soil’s initial pH. If the pH is too high • Prior to planting, mix four to six inches of acid sphagnum peat into the upper six to eight inches of soil. Positive effects last six to ten years. • Elemental sulfur lowers pH and may be added at the rate indicated by a soil test. Because elemental sulfur reacts slowly, it should be worked 8 to 10 inches into the soil the year before planting. • Iron sulfate also lowers pH
Soil pH is the measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of garden soil. The pH in soil is typically measured on a scale of 1-14, with seven considered neutral. Anything below this is considered acidic, or sour, soil while anything above neutral is considered alkaline, or sweet, soil. Soil kits can be used to test pH levels in the soil and are available at most home garden centers. Oftentimes, local county extension agents will also provide pH testing when needed. On average, plants can only retrieve specific nutrients when the soil pH falls into the neutral range. The acceptable pH level for most plants falls somewhere between 6.2 and 7.0 on the pH scale. However, proper pH levels usually depend on the variety of plant, as preferences vary among plant types. For example, some plants, such as azaleas, actually prefer a more acidic soil. Still others, like lilacs, seem to appreciate a more alkaline soil. The pH in soil is very important, as soil contains nutrients such as nitrogen, potas
Soil pH is the measure of the acid or alkaline levels of the soil and is divided on a scale between 1 and 14. Levels between 1 and 5 are said to be acidic and levels between 6 and 7 are neutral , and those between 8 and 14 are determined as alkaline. A neutral pH is optimum for most turf varieties. The pH is important as some nutrients are not available to the plant at certain levels, especially at low levels where the soil is determined to be acidic. The pH can be easily measured by purchasing a pH Test Kit from your local nursery.
Soil pH refers to the acidity or alkalinity of soil and is measured in pH units, from 0 to 14. Because soil pH affects which and how many nutrients are available for plant nutrition, it is one of the most widely recognized agronomical measurements. For most turf and landscape ornamentals, the optimum pH range of 6.5 to 7.5 provides maximum plant nutrition.
Is it better for the ph to be high or low. ————————————— pH is a measure of soil acidity. Low pH soils are acid and high pH soils are basic. Soils east of the Mississippi river tend to be acid while those to the west tend to be basic. The pH controls what minerals are available for plant growth. Basic soils, for example have less iron available. Wild plants have adapted to varying soil pH as a way of minimizing competition. For the gardener, soil pH is of great concern depending upon what they are trying to grow. I have often added ground lime to soils to make them more basic, or “chelated sulfur” to turn them more acid. Of course, I move around a lot, too. R. Avakian ==================================================================== The pH is the logarithm of 1/[H+] where [H+] is the concentration of hydrogen ions. So it is a measure of how acidic or basic a solution is. Low values: 0 to 7 are acidic. High values 7 to 14 are alkaline. With regard to which i
