nkatadelgormo
Member
If you suspect that your soil may be too alkaline or acidic, you may be considering purchasing a soil pH test kit. These are available from most garden centers and nurseries, but sometimes are relatively pricey. In addition to cost, these kits can give sketchy readings, sometimes not giving you a clear answer as to what your soil pH really is.
Luckily, you can make your own soil pH test kit from scratch... it's easy! Here is what you will need...
Glass jar
Measuring cup
Vinegar
Water
Baking soda
Fresh soil samples
Step 1. Gather some soil.
Go to your garden and scoop some soil into your glass jar. You only need about 1/4-cup of soil to measure the pH level.
Step 2. Add some vinegar.
Measure about 1/2-cup vinegar with your measuring cup . Then, add the vinegar to the soil in your glass jar. The vinegar may or may not fizz when it comes into contact with the soil.
If it fizzes... your garden soil pH is alkaline. Depending on the types of plants you have in your garden, you may or may not consider altering the pH of the soil to make it more acidic. Click here to find out how to increase the acidity of garden soil.
If it doesn't fizz... continue to step 3.
Step 3. Get another soil sample.
You will need a fresh soil sample before you can continue. So go to your garden and scoop up a fresh sample into your jar.
Step 4. Add some water.
Measure 1/2-cup water with your measuring cup. Then, add the water to your soil sample, and mix together to make a muddy, sloppy mess in the jar.
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Step 5. Add some baking soda.
Measure 1/2-cup of baking soda with your measuring cup. Add the baking soda to your muddy soil sample.
If the baking soda fizzes when it comes into contact with your soil, you will know the soil is very acidic. You may or may not need to alter the pH of your soil, depending on the types of plants you wish to grow in your garden. Click here to discover some plants that prefer acidic soil.
If you wish to make the pH of your soil more alkaline, click here to find out how to easily increase the alkalinity to your soil.
If your soil did not produce much of a reaction to either the vinegar or the baking soda, the soil in your garden is probably pretty pH balanced. Lucky for you!
Good luck with your garden! Have more gardening questions? Click here for some answers!
Luckily, you can make your own soil pH test kit from scratch... it's easy! Here is what you will need...
Glass jar
Measuring cup
Vinegar
Water
Baking soda
Fresh soil samples
Step 1. Gather some soil.
Go to your garden and scoop some soil into your glass jar. You only need about 1/4-cup of soil to measure the pH level.
Step 2. Add some vinegar.
Measure about 1/2-cup vinegar with your measuring cup . Then, add the vinegar to the soil in your glass jar. The vinegar may or may not fizz when it comes into contact with the soil.
If it fizzes... your garden soil pH is alkaline. Depending on the types of plants you have in your garden, you may or may not consider altering the pH of the soil to make it more acidic. Click here to find out how to increase the acidity of garden soil.
If it doesn't fizz... continue to step 3.
Step 3. Get another soil sample.
You will need a fresh soil sample before you can continue. So go to your garden and scoop up a fresh sample into your jar.
Step 4. Add some water.
Measure 1/2-cup water with your measuring cup. Then, add the water to your soil sample, and mix together to make a muddy, sloppy mess in the jar.
Yh
Step 5. Add some baking soda.
Measure 1/2-cup of baking soda with your measuring cup. Add the baking soda to your muddy soil sample.
If the baking soda fizzes when it comes into contact with your soil, you will know the soil is very acidic. You may or may not need to alter the pH of your soil, depending on the types of plants you wish to grow in your garden. Click here to discover some plants that prefer acidic soil.
If you wish to make the pH of your soil more alkaline, click here to find out how to easily increase the alkalinity to your soil.
If your soil did not produce much of a reaction to either the vinegar or the baking soda, the soil in your garden is probably pretty pH balanced. Lucky for you!
Good luck with your garden! Have more gardening questions? Click here for some answers!
