The pH scale runs from 1 (extreme acidity) to 14 (extreme alkalinity).
It's important to know the pH of your soil because your plants won't be able to acces all the nutrients that are available in your soil if you don't have the correct pH. Different plants, require a different pH, but many vegetables are happy in a soil with a pH between 6 and 7.
How do you test the pH of your soil?
1.You can buy a soil pH test kit from your local garden centre.
You have to place a level teaspoon of mixed soil from your garden on the test plate, add a few drops of the indicator liquid and stir. You then dust the paste with the white powder from the kit and wait one minute.
Compare the colour of your soil with the colour card provided to find out what the pH of your soil is.
This method works but I find it sometimes a bit hard to determine the matching colour from the colour card. But that might just be me.
2. Another method is checking the pH of your soil with a digital soil pH meter.
You take a sample of your soil (2 cups) and mix it with the same amount of water. You have to compact the soil and drain of the excess water. You can then push the probe in the soil, wait for 60 seconds and note the reading.
I find the digital meter easier to use then the test kit. The digital meter comes with instruction on how to use the meter and a pH preference list for flowers, trees, shurbs, fruit, vegetables and herbs.
The test kit and digital meter are roughly the same price ($20-$25).
Which ever method you use, it's important that you don't rely on just one reading. It's important to test several samples from different parts of your garden bed.
Once you know the pH of your soil, you can for example add lime to raise the pH and compost to lower the pH of your soil.
