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This article was co-written by Steve Masley. Steve Masley has designed and maintained organic vegetable gardens in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 30 years. In 2007 and 2008, Steve taught Local Sustainable Agricultural Practices at Stanford University.
There are 7 references cited in this article that you can see at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 11,199 times.
Finding the right soil pH is an important step to healthy plant growth. The pH will determine the efficiency of the plant’s nutrient absorption. To adjust the pH in your soil, you first need to determine what materials can help change the pH. If you need to increase acidity or decrease pH, there are several common compounds that you can add to your soil to achieve the desired results. You can also increase the pH when the soil is too acidic by adding agricultural lime or other alkaline-based compounds. If you know how to properly assess the soil and add materials, you will have a lush and high-yielding garden.
Steps
Land Rating
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Determine the soil type. Before conducting a pH test or adding anything to the soil, you need to determine the type of soil. Determine if your soil is lumpy, dry, loose or wet to know how to adjust the soil. Therefore, you should find out in advance about the type of soil in which you plan to plant. [1] X Research Source
- Loose or well-drained soil will be easiest to adjust. In contrast, compact soils containing a lot of clay are more difficult to adjust.
- Determining the type of soil will help you figure out the best method to add nutrients to the soil.
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Understand soil pH. To adjust the pH in your soil, you need to know what the pH is. Soil pH represents the acidity or alkalinity in the soil and is rated on a scale of 0 to 14, with 7 being a neutral pH, neither acidic nor alkaline. Soils with a pH above 7 are alkaline, and below 7 are acidic. Most plants prefer a pH between 6 and 7.5, which is also the preferred pH for earthworms and beneficial soil microorganisms. [2] X Research Sources[3] X Research Sources
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Consider the type of tree you want to plant. The type of plant you intend to plant will determine the pH required in the soil. Many species prefer acidic soil, especially flowering plants and some fruit trees such as blueberries. You need to find out about the right pH for the species you want to grow. [4] X Research Sources
- Rhododendrons, blueberries and conifers prefer acidic soil (pH 5.0 to 5.5)
- Vegetables, grasses and most ornamental plants prefer mildly acidic soil (pH 5.8 to 6.5).
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Test the pH of the soil . Once you understand the pH and the type of soil you plan to plant, you can proceed with a soil pH test. You can purchase a pH test kit at a garden supply store or send a sample to a soil testing service. The easiest way to test the pH is to dig a hole in the ground, fill it with water, and insert the tip of the tester into the muddy water. However, sending soil samples for testing will give more accurate readings. [5] X Research Sources
- There are also several methods of soil self-testing, including the use of homemade pH test paper.
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Water test. Test the water to determine its impact on the soil. Groundwater, water used for domestic use and garden irrigation are often higher in alkalinity. In contrast, rainwater is usually more acidic. If you live in a rainy area, perhaps the soil there will be slightly more acidic. If you usually water your garden with tap water, the soil in your garden may be more alkaline. [6] X Research Source
- You can use pH test paper or a commercially available electronic pH meter.
Increase the pH
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Choose an agricultural lime. If the soil is found to be too acidic after testing, you can increase the pH by adding an alkali. The most common material used to raise soil pH is a lime compound that you can buy at garden supply stores. Standard lime comes in four forms: powdered lime, hydrated lime, granular lime and pelleted lime. Depending on the soil type and moisture content in the soil, one of the above forms will be your good choice. [7] X Research Sources
- Powdered lime is lime that is finely ground and easier to absorb into the soil. However, lime powder is also more difficult to spread because it can clog the spreader.
- Granular and pellet lime are easier to spread, but less effective at changing soil pH.
- Hydrated lime should only be used for extremely acidic soils, as it is more water soluble and can rapidly raise the pH in the soil.
- Some limes contain micronutrients, such as dpomite, a mixture of calcium and magnesium carbonate. However, you should only use dpomitic lime if the soil lacks magnesium. Do not apply this lime if the magnesium concentration in the soil is already high. [8] X Research Sources
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Consider using kitchen ash. Wood ash is also highly alkaline and has added micronutrients such as calcium, potassium, phosphate and boron. While not as effective as lime, kitchen ash can raise the pH significantly in the long run. Therefore, you should carefully monitor the soil when applying kitchen ash. [9] X Research Source
- Avoid letting kitchen ash come into contact with roots or germinating seedlings, as kitchen ash can damage plants.
- Kitchen ash is suitable for sandy soil.
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Apply lime. For best results, lime should be applied to the soil 2-3 months before planting (usually in the fall or winter) to give the soil enough time to change the pH. Apply lime to the soil in the root zone, or topsoil about 18 cm thick. [10] X Research Source
- You can spread lime by hand if it is a small plot, and use a spreader to apply lime to a large garden.
- Use a rake or tiller to mix lime into the soil.
- Lime does not dissolve easily in water, so you should till the soil for maximum effect.
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Water regularly. Lime won’t be as effective in dry soil, so you’ll need to water it regularly. The water will activate the lime and help it seep into the soil. Use a garden hose or sprinkler to water. [11] X Research Source
- The frequency of watering depends on the area of the soil and the available moisture in the soil. Other minerals in the soil can be washed away if you water too much.
Lower pH
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Use organics. Over time, organic matter such as leaves, compost or manure can lower the pH in the soil. However, this process can take years and only applies to long-term goals. This is a good choice for organic gardening. [12] X Research Source
- Organic matter is also helpful in improving soil drainage and aeration.
- Due to factors such as the amount of organic matter and the time it takes to break down into usable soil, this approach works best for small plots only.
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Consider sulfur supplements. Another way to increase soil acidity is to slowly add sulfur. The effectiveness of sulfur depends on several factors, including humidity, temperature, and bacteria. These factors are unpredictable, so sulfur can take many months to effectively reduce soil pH. [13] X Research Source
- You can buy sulfur at most garden supply stores. Avoid powdered sulfur as it is too mild for the purpose of increasing soil acidity.
- The increased acidity in the soil is due to a biological reaction involving bacteria.
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Consider using aluminum sulfate. This compound will help increase acidity quickly thanks to the chemical reaction of aluminum. For this reason, many amateur and small-scale gardeners prefer aluminum sulfate over organic compounds or sulfur. However, due to aluminum sulfate’s ability to change pH so quickly, it’s harder to control soil acidity using this method. [14] X Research Source
- You can buy aluminum sulfate at most garden supply stores.
- Because aluminum sulfate causes a chemical reaction in the soil rather than a biological reaction, some ranchers and gardeners favor the compound over materials that produce acids through biological reactions.
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Stir the materials into the soil. You need to mix organic compounds, sulfur and aluminum sulfate into the soil to be effective. Organic compounds may need to be applied multiple times, depending on the pH of the soil. Remember to test the pH before each addition. [15] X Research Source
- Avoid using too much sulfur or aluminum sulfate.
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Wash the plant after adding the material to the soil. If sulfur or aluminum sulfate gets on the leaves, you will have to rinse it off with water. If not washed away, these compounds can burn leaves and damage plants. Watering the plant also helps the compounds seep into the soil. [16] X Research Source
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This article was co-written by Steve Masley. Steve Masley has designed and maintained organic vegetable gardens in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 30 years. In 2007 and 2008, Steve taught Local Sustainable Agricultural Practices at Stanford University.
There are 7 references cited in this article that you can see at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 11,199 times.
Finding the right soil pH is an important step to healthy plant growth. The pH will determine the efficiency of the plant’s nutrient absorption. To adjust the pH in your soil, you first need to determine what materials can help change the pH. If you need to increase acidity or decrease pH, there are several common compounds that you can add to your soil to achieve the desired results. You can also increase the pH when the soil is too acidic by adding agricultural lime or other alkaline-based compounds. If you know how to properly assess the soil and add materials, you will have a lush and high-yielding garden.
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