How to Test Soil pH

Do you want to create your own garden? If so, then you definitely need to know about the pH of your soil. pH is an indicator of how acidic (acidic) or alkaline the soil is. Different plants need different pH levels to grow. Once you know your soil’s pH, you can adjust the soil in your garden to help plants grow. The pH measurement method is very easy to implement, and there are many different ways to do it.

Table of Contents

Measure the pH of the soil with a probe device

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Dig a small hole in the ground. Use a shovel or spade to dig a hole about 5 to 10cm deep. Pinch the soil in the hole and remove any twigs or debris.

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Fill the hole with water. Use distilled water (not spring water). You can find distilled water at chemical stores. Rainwater is slightly acidic, and bottled or tap water is often slightly alkaline. Fill the hole with water until the water stagnates and forms mud at the bottom.

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Poke the tester into the mud. Make sure your device is clean and calibrated (for more accurate measurements). Wipe the probe with a clean cloth or towel and then poke it in the mud.

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Hold for 60 seconds and then read the result. pH is usually measured on a scale of 1 to 14, although your tester may not show it all.

A pH of 7 is neutral soil.
A pH above 7 is alkaline soil.
A pH below 7 is acidic soil.

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Measure at various locations in the garden. A single result can be misleading, so it’s best to calculate the average pH of the entire site. If the results are the same everywhere, calculate the average and use that to improve the land. If the results in one site differ significantly from others, you may need to “treat” that site separately.

Use pH test paper

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Buy pH test paper. pH test paper, also known as litmus paper or color indicator paper, is a quick and easy way to measure the pH value of soil. You can buy them online or at garden supply stores. ^{[1] X Research Source}

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Mix a handful of soil with room temperature distilled water. Take a handful of soil to test and place in the bowl. Then, pour distilled water into the bowl until the soil becomes like a smoothie. You can stir this mixture to make sure the water and soil are completely mixed. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Immerse the test paper in the mixture for 20 to 30 seconds. Holding one end of the paper, dip the other end into the soil mixture for 20 to 30 seconds. Waiting time for results can vary, so read the user manual of the test paper you purchased for the appropriate wait time. When the time is up, lift the paper out of the mixture and briefly dip it in distilled water to shake off the soil.

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Compare the test paper color with the results table. Use the results table provided in the test paper kit to read the pH value of the soil. Usually the results are color coded. Compare with the colors on it and choose the most similar color. That color will indicate the pH of the soil. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Change the pH of the soil

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Make the soil less acidic. If the soil pH is less than 7, add a cup of sedimentary rock or quicklime to the soil. Mix well, then use the instrument to test again. This method will slowly change the pH of the soil. Wood ash in moderate amounts is also very effective. Both ingredients are available at garden supply stores.

Follow the advice in the pH test kit to see how many ingredients you need to achieve the desired pH. If you need to change the pH by more than 1 level, contact a professional horticulturalist. They can help you adjust your soil to the optimum level. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Make the soil less alkaline. If the soil pH is greater than 7, add a cup containing organic ingredients such as pine needles, moss or composted leaves. Then test the soil again for the new pH reading. Add another cup of organic ingredients and test again until the soil has reached the desired pH. Sulfur also works very well.

Follow the instructions in the pH test kit to find out how much ingredients to add to achieve the desired pH. If pH adjustment more than 1 level is required, contact a landscape and horticultural professional. They can help you make effective soil adjustments with an on-site assessment. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Change the pH of the soil to grow certain plants. For example, add sulfur in certain locations to make the hydrangea flower with beautiful green flowers because this plant likes acidic soil. Soil pH doesn’t have to be the same everywhere in the garden; You can adjust it arbitrarily to fit a variety of plants. You can consult plant farms or other reliable sources for the right pH for certain plants. Some cultivars need alkaline soil, others need acidic soil.

Advice

Record the results. You may need to use that result in the future as the pH can change over time.
Avoid contamination (which leads to false readings) by making sure the pH meter and shovel are clean. Do not directly touch the soil with your hands.
For each test, read the results in multiple locations. At least 6 acres of soil from different areas of the garden should suffice.
Some test kits estimate pH by colors instead of numbers. In this case, green usually represents neutral soil; yellow or orange is acidic soil; and dark green is alkaline soil.
Contact agricultural or horticultural services for more information on soil testing or for expert guidance in this area.
Make sure the tester is properly aligned before conducting a soil test (if you want a more precise measurement).
The pH represents the amount of different nutrients available in the soil for plants. The optimal pH is usually between 5.5 and 7.

Warning

As noted above, the type of water you add to the soil can affect the test results if the pH in the water is not balanced. Use distilled water to do this.
Some test kits will behave differently from what is described in this article. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to ensure accurate measurement results.

Things you need

pH test kit
pH test paper kit
Small garden shovel (commonly known as a “spoon” or a “plant shovel”)
Water with a pH of 7 or distilled water
Types of cups or bowls

Steps