Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Why pH Matters
There is one important component that makes a difference in your soil and that is called
“pH.” Although many have probably heard of it from high school science experiments in-
volving litmus paper, this is a very important consideration that has to be factored in. If you
want the best options for your plants, you have to consider your soil's pH content.
What is pH? In layman's terms, it means how sweet and sour your soil is. The sweetness is
considered its alkaline content, while the sourness is its acid content. A soil's pH is measured
on a scale of zero to fourteen. The lower the number, the more acid it contains, the higher
the number, the more alkaline it has in it. Naturally, a score of seven is considered neutral.
But it is not that simple. On the pH scale, moving up one whole number has to be multiplied
by ten. In other words, rating a seven means the soil contains ten times (not just one) the
amount of alkaline as soil rating a six. So moving up or down just one number is a big deal.
Why is this so important to plants? Plants have to have optimal growing conditions in order
to flourish. This includes the pH in the soil. If a plant requires a pH of six and your soil has
a pH of four, the plant won't reach its full potential. In fact, there is a possibility that it might
not hardly grow at all. The pH is that important.
As a general rule, the pH in bagged potting soil is fairly balanced, meaning it is in the six to
seven range, which is optimal for most plants, with the exception of a few. If you are relying
on dirt from your back yard, it pays to have it tested to make sure it is the right balance.
How do you test dirt? There are multitudes of pH testing kits available where garden sup-
plies are sold. These kits are not only inexpensive, but easy to use as well. Once you know
the starting point for your soil, you can determine whether the pH needs to be lowered or
raised for your plant's needs.
So if roughly all potting soil is pH balanced, why are they different? Because of their com-
position. Some soils will have different particles than others, meaning that it holds water and
permits the movement of air more freely.
But there are other concerns, too. One is contamination. Yes, soil can be contaminated with
bacteria, which can then transfer to whatever plant you put in the container. It can also con-
tain pesticides from the field that was sprayed to kill the weeds so that the dirt could be har-
vested.
