Some plants prefer acidic soil. Other plants, on the other hand, do better when rooted in alkaline soil. However, you cannot tell by looking at a floor what type it belongs to. Only a pH value measurement can provide a clear statement in this regard. Here's how to do them.

The pH value can be easily determined with a special measuring set

possibilities of determination

Determining the pH value in the garden is not about every decimal place. It is usually sufficient to identify a clear trend. Therefore, four tools can be considered for the determination:

  • analysis sets
  • indicator strips
  • Red cabbage
  • vinegar and baking powder

analysis sets

Analysis sets can be bought cheaply in hardware stores. The process is roughly like this:

  • a hole about 5-10 cm deep is dug in the ground
  • then the hole is filled with distilled water
  • The dipstick of the test set is inserted into the mud that forms
  • after a short waiting period, the measured value can be read

indicator strips

It is somewhat cheaper to measure the pH value with an indicator strip. For this purpose, a soil sample is taken and mixed 1:1 with distilled water. The indicator strip is immersed in it. Its discoloration is then compared with a color scale on the sales packaging and the associated pH value is read.

Red cabbage

Red cabbage is a cheap home remedy for measuring the pH value. However, only the three states neutral, alkaline and acidic can be read. This method does not provide exact measurements.

  1. Heat distilled water.
  2. Cut the red cabbage into small pieces and put it in the water.
  3. Let everything soak for several hours.
  4. Sieve the mixture. Catch the purple juice as you do so.
  5. Add two tablespoons of the soil sample you took earlier.
  6. Watch the color change. Purple represents neutral, pink represents acidic, and blue or green indicates alkaline.

vinegar and baking powder

Fill one mug with water and baking soda and one with vinegar. Add a tablespoon of the soil sample. If the soil is acidic, it will hiss in the cup with the baking powder. An alkaline sample, on the other hand, will cause a similar reaction in the vinegar cup. If nothing happens, you are dealing with a neutral ground.

The values

Results of the methods that return numbers are to be interpreted as follows:

  • Values between 6.5 and 8 are in the neutral range
  • Values below 6 are acidic
  • the lower, the more acidic
  • Values above 8 are indicative of alkaline soils
  • the higher the value, the more alkaline

tips

Use the results to improve the garden soil in line with this, so that the plants growing on it are optimally nourished.

Category:

Garden design