FEATURESTORY
by Lindsey Hyland
Testing Soil pH Levels Without a Meter or Kit
T
he other day, I was trying to measure the pH
level of my pot where I planted a beautiful
houseplant. While waiting for the meter to
settle, I wondered if I could test the pH level
of the soil in my garden without using any test kit at
all. Out of curiosity, I did my research and found a
few ways for me to get the soil’s pH level without a
meter. The techniques I learned were very fun and in-
teresting.
Soil pH Level
Soil pH measures how acid and alkaline the soils
in our gardens are. It’s what you need to know to have
a better grasp of what type of minerals your plant will
have once planted or potted.
What you’ve to keep in mind is that the perfect pH
level depends on what type of plant you are growing.
The PH level is measured from 0-14. The neutral levels
are 6-7. If you use a meter and your soil measures be-
tween 0-5, it means that it’s acidic. A pH level of 7-14
means your soil has more alkaline in it.
Why pH Testing is Important
The Soil pH matters because it affects how plants
are nourished. Some plants prefer acidic soil, while oth-
ers would not survive in it because they need a higher
level of alkalinity. Some plants prefer a neutral pH
level, which is 6-7.
Plants that Prefer Acidic Soil
◆ Azaleas
◆ Daffodils
◆ Magnolia
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◆
Beech Trees
Sweet Potatoes
Plants that Prefer Alkaline Soil
◆ Austrian Pine
◆ Lilac
◆ Lavender
◆ Honeysuckle Vine
◆ Mock Orange
There are areas where soil is generally acidic or has
more alkaline, but you aren’t stuck with acidic or alka-
line soil because you can change it.
Factors that Affect pH Level
Parent Material
How the soils are formed; some soils are formed
from rocks, and those rocks already contain a certain
pH level.
Precipitation
Rain or snow and its components can affect soils
that are exposed to it. If the rain is acidic, it could af-
fect the soil’s acidity level.
Flooding
This can wash out the soil’s minerals and compo-
nents that can affect the acidity or alkalinity level of
soil.
Fertilizers
A lot of fertilizers contain nutrients and minerals
that affect the pH level of soil. Fortunately, you can
www.GardenandGreenhouse.net
May 2019