Understanding Soil PH

 One of the most important bits of gardening advice I give people is to read plant tags at garden centers before buying anything. It's very good advice. If you've done this, you've probably read how some plants prefer acidic soil and you wonder what that means. Acidic soil is any soil with a PH less than 7. (If the PH is above 7, it is said to be alkaline). However, when a plant is said to like acidic soil, it usually means a PH of 6 or less. Most plants prefer a PH between 6 and 7.5 and you've probably been growing them just fine and haven't given it a second thought. However, there are some plants out there that will only ever be happy with a very low PH. 

Azaleas love acidic soil

How can you tell if you have acidic soil? There are three ways to tell. 

1)The least scientific is to just see what plants thrive in your yard already. My in laws have a yard full of rhododendrons and eastern hemlock so I"m fairly certain they have a lower PH than I do. 

2)You can get an at home chemical test or an electric meter to test PH levels. It still won't give you a precise measurement but it will get you in the right ball park. You can find one similar to mine here. 

3)To find out EXACTLY what's in your soil, you can send a sample (with a check) to your local extension office and they will send you a report on it. Every county is different so you'll have to see what your county extension office website says. I've never done this but all the experts recommend it. 

What plants grow in acidic soil? Well blueberries and cranberries for starters. As mentioned above, rhododendrons, azaleas and hemlock do too. Magnolias and flowers in the heather family also enjoy acid. 

Can you change your soil PH? Yes, but I don't encourage it. I've been trying FOR YEARS to grow blueberries and just getting ONE raised bed to a low enough PH has cost a lot of money, taken time and effort, and has brought pitiful results. You really are best off just embracing the type of soil nature gave you and choosing plants accordingly. 

It's always good to know what kind of soil you have so you can buy the right plants for you. Please take some time to know what you're working with so you can enjoy gardening success. Have any tips for soil PH? Please post in the comments below!