A Gardener's Guide to the Effects of Soil pH

A few things may be going on in your soil if you know the pH of it. The pH of the soil is an important consideration when planning to plant a new area. For your convenience, we've put together this list of pointers. Ion concentrations can be measured using the pH scale. 1-14 is the range. One is acidic, 14 is basic or alkaline, and seven is neutral. pH is a logarithmic scale. This means that the concentrations at each point on the scale are vastly different. As a result, even though 1 and 2 appear to be similar, there is a significant disparity in their relative strengths. So now that you know what the scale is about let's look at the soil.

pH is a standard parameter in soil testing. If not, find another lab to do your testing. Garden centers often carry kits for testing soils. You can use a Laqua Twin PH Meter inserted into the ground to measure the pH of the water. These aren't too pricey, on the whole. What does it mean if you have a good understanding of pH? As a general rule, soils can range in pH from 4 to 10. Soil pH levels on the West Coast of the United States can range from 7.5 to 9.5! The soil pH ranges from 4.2-4.5 in New England, with some reaching as high as 4.2-4.5 in the Midwest. On the East Coast, the soil pH ranges from 4.2-to 4.5. (these are often bogs where cranberries are grown). Plants have a wide range of pH tolerance levels and nutrient and moisture needs through soil compaction meter. Looking at nature, it's clear that native plants are best suited to the soil and climate of a particular region. There is little water and alkaline soil in the desert regions of the southwest, but succulents can thrive in soils that are saturated, covered in ice and snow, and comprised mostly of clay and sandy soils.

You'll need to take some precautions if you decide to use plants that aren't native to the area. Taking care of the soil is a large part of this. Take, for instance, the humble vegetable. The majority of vegetables thrive in soils that are neutral in pH. Adding soil amendments is the only way to alter the pH of your garden. Lime and gypsum are frequently added to acidic soils with only minor adjustments. The transition will take time because the concentration ranges from 6.5 to 7.2 and because an acre contains hundreds of tons of soil. Adding acids to alkaline soils unlocks nutrients that may be locked up by calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, and other minerals. As a result of the addition of acids, the pH of the finished product can be adjusted to a more neutral level. Adding small amounts of these amendments throughout the growing season can sometimes be the most effective strategy for achieving the desired results. A better understanding of the soil's buffering capacity, or how much more difficult it will be to replace the soil, can be gained by determining its Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC).

Additionally, keep in mind that pH is just one piece of the puzzle. You must keep an eye on nutrients (the amount already present and the amount that needs to be added), organic matter (the percentage and whether or not it needs to be adjusted), moisture (the amount of irrigation necessary), compaction (whether or not the soil needs to be aerated), microbes (the type of biology present in the soil), and water (what it has in it). You don't have to be a soil scientist to grow great plants; you need to be aware of your surroundings and tend to things; give it time, and you'll see things improve over time. Making these considerations will also help you avoid pest and disease problems, allowing you to get more enjoyment out of the process of planting and nurturing