Soil pH levels indicate how well your yard plants consume nutrients. So, ensuring your yard’s health starts with a soil pH test.
Every plant species has different pH level requirements. And a soil test provides a road map to the steps you should take. Before we proceed, let’s take a look at the pH scale and what it means:
- 7.5+ – Alkaline
- 6.5 to 7.5 – Neutral
- Less than 6.5 – Acidic
- Less than 5.5 – Strong acidic properties
There are two ways to conduct soil tests. You can either acquire the services of professionals or conduct a test on your own.
Commercial Service
Commercial services offer detailed information on the condition of your soil. Also, they cost you less than $30 on average.
When hiring professionals, do your research to find the most suitable commercial service. You can then submit soil samples from various areas of your yard. The processing of samples may take time. So, you need to wait for results before taking further action.
When the results are ready, the professional company will share an in-depth report on soil conditions. Also, they would offer recommendations to help you fix soil problems.
DIY Soil pH Test
You can also conduct a soil test at home without using a soil test kit. For this purpose, you need distilled water, vinegar, and baking soda.
Take a cup of soil from various parts of your garden. Now transfer 2 teaspoons of soil into separate containers. Then add ½ cup of white vinegar to the soil. If it seems fizzed, the soil is alkaline with a pH between 7 and 8.
But if the soil doesn’t fizz after this vinegar test, you should add some distilled water to the other container. Keep adding water until the soil becomes muddy.
Next, add ½ cup of baking soda to this muddy container. The soil is acidic if it fizzes. And if the soil does not react at all, then you are lucky. It’s because the soil is neutral with a pH level between 6.5 and 7.5.
