Test Soil pH

Do you want to plant a garden? You'd better know a bit about your soil chemistry first, and the most basic measurement you'll need is the soil's pH. The pH is a measure of the soil's acidity or alkalinity. Different plants require different pH levels, so once you know your soil's pH, you can plant plants that will thrive in that soil, or you can amend the soil to expand the range of plants you can use. Getting a measurement is easy. Here's how.

Steps

 * 1) Dig a small hole in the soil. Use a trowel or spade to dig a hole 2-4 inches deep. Break up the soil within the hole and remove any twigs or foreign debris.
 * 2) [[Image:Muddy_hole_842.jpg|thumb|Try to ensure that the water you use has a neutral pH.]]Fill the hole with water. Use distilled (not spring) water. You can find this in your local pharmacy. Rainwater is almost always slightly acidic! Bottled water may not have a neutral pH, either.   Fill the hole until you have a muddy pool at the bottom.
 * 3) [[Image:Ph_test_probe_845.jpg|thumb|Inserting the tester probe into the mud.]]Insert the test probe into the mud. Make sure your tester is clean and calibrated (for a more exact measurement).  Wipe the probe with a tissue or clean cloth, and insert it into the mud.
 * 4) [[Image:Ph_tester_915.jpg|thumb|The readout of a pH tester.]]Hold it there for 60 seconds and take a reading. pH is usually measured on a scale of 1-14, though the tester may not include this entire range.
 * 5) *A pH of 7 indicates neutral soil.
 * 6) *A pH above 7 indicates alkaline soil.
 * 7) *A pH below 7 indicates acidic soil.
 * 8) Take several measurements in different spots in the garden.  A single reading may be an anomaly, so it's good to get an idea of the average pH in a plot. If they're all around the same, take the average and amend the soil accordingly. If one spot is very different than the rest, however, you may need to "spot treat" it.

Tips

 * Make sure the tester is properly calibrated before taking a reading (if you want a more accurate measurement).
 * Some testers present the approximate pH as a color, rather than as a number. In this case, green usually indicates neutral soil; yellow or orange indicates acidic soil; and dark green indicates alkaline soil.
 * Contact your local agricultural department or extension service office for more information about soil testing or for professional assistance testing your soil.
 * Prevent contamination (and incorrect readings) by making sure your pH tester probe and your spade are clean. Do not handle soil with your bare hands.

Warnings

 * Some testers will function differently than that described in this article. Always make sure to read the manufacturer's instructions carefully to ensure accurate readings.
 * As noted above, the water you pour into the hole can affect your reading if the pH of the water is not neutral. Use distilled water or water you are reasonably sure is neutral.

Things You'll Need

 * pH tester
 * Small garden shovel (often called a "spade" or "trowel")
 * water with pH of 7 or distilled water

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Grow a Tomato Plant
 * How to Grow Ginseng
 * How to Build a Hydroponic Garden
 * How to Plant Roses
 * How to Grow Cuttings from Established Plants
 * How to Grow an Herb Garden Indoors Year Round

Sources and Citations

 * VideoJug.com A video on how to test soil pH. The original source of this article.  Shared with permission.