How to Manage Soil pH for a Healthy Garden
Learn how to control this vital factor that determines the well-being of the plants
Most home gardeners overlook this crucial aspect of plant care. While we make the soil well-drained and add the requisite compost to it, we often tend to forget to measure the pH of the soil. In reality, if the soil pH is not in balance, then the plants will not be able to absorb nutrients from the soil and never be in the pink (or rather, green!) of health.
Why is soil pH important?
Most of the plants we grow in our home gardens require soil that is slightly acidic, usually within a pH range of 6.2 to 6.8. Soil pH is very important because it directly affects soil nutrient availability. Plant roots can only absorb nutrients after they have been transformed into certain ionic forms. Without this, even if the nutrients are added to the soil, they won’t be available to the plant.
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Most of the plants we grow in our home gardens require soil that is slightly acidic, usually within a pH range of 6.2 to 6.8. Soil pH is very important because it directly affects soil nutrient availability. Plant roots can only absorb nutrients after they have been transformed into certain ionic forms. Without this, even if the nutrients are added to the soil, they won’t be available to the plant.
Find a landscape designer from the Houzz directory
In fact, different plants require slightly different pH values, depending on their fruiting and flowering stages and other factors. But for a home gardener who is just starting up, maintaining a broad range between 6.2 to 6.8 will help.
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How to measure soil pH
Take a small spoonful of soil and mix it with water. When you have a slightly thick consistency, like a milkshake, dip one end of a pH paper or a pH meter (both available in the market) to know the pH of that soil.
At the same time, also measure the pH of the water you supply in the garden. It should be as close to neutral (pH value of 7) as possible, otherwise the water itself can change the pH of your soil.
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Take a small spoonful of soil and mix it with water. When you have a slightly thick consistency, like a milkshake, dip one end of a pH paper or a pH meter (both available in the market) to know the pH of that soil.
At the same time, also measure the pH of the water you supply in the garden. It should be as close to neutral (pH value of 7) as possible, otherwise the water itself can change the pH of your soil.
8 Most Effective Water-Saving Techniques for Your Garden
Over time the pH level of soil keeps changing
Maintaining the correct pH level for your soil is an ongoing task, where rainfall leaches out calcium and other alkaline-forming elements. Even fertilisers or the dried falling leaves can shift your soil pH over time, Hence, there’s a need for regular additions of limestone or sulphur to bring back the pH to the desired level.
Note: Most things that we add to soil – compost, fertiliser, pesticides – even organic ones – are not advisable for direct consumption. Is limestone or sulphur safe to be added to the soil? Yes. But as in every other case, moderation is key. An excess of anything is toxic.
Note: Consult with your local gardener or a gardening expert about the correct quantities needed.
Maintaining the correct pH level for your soil is an ongoing task, where rainfall leaches out calcium and other alkaline-forming elements. Even fertilisers or the dried falling leaves can shift your soil pH over time, Hence, there’s a need for regular additions of limestone or sulphur to bring back the pH to the desired level.
Note: Most things that we add to soil – compost, fertiliser, pesticides – even organic ones – are not advisable for direct consumption. Is limestone or sulphur safe to be added to the soil? Yes. But as in every other case, moderation is key. An excess of anything is toxic.
Note: Consult with your local gardener or a gardening expert about the correct quantities needed.
How to adjust the pH of the soil
Various elements can increase or decrease the acidity of the soil. Our target has to be a slightly acidic range between 6.2 and 6.8 in general.
If your soil has become highly acidic with the pH level dropping below 6.2, then to raise the pH and bring it back in the ideal range (that is, to reduce the acidity), add lime powder.
Similarly, to decrease the pH of soil and to make it more acidic, if it has become alkaline over time, add a little sulphur to the soil.
Both these items are available at any good nursery, either individually or as a part of a fertiliser mix.
Look for garden design ideas in these photos
Various elements can increase or decrease the acidity of the soil. Our target has to be a slightly acidic range between 6.2 and 6.8 in general.
If your soil has become highly acidic with the pH level dropping below 6.2, then to raise the pH and bring it back in the ideal range (that is, to reduce the acidity), add lime powder.
Similarly, to decrease the pH of soil and to make it more acidic, if it has become alkaline over time, add a little sulphur to the soil.
Both these items are available at any good nursery, either individually or as a part of a fertiliser mix.
Look for garden design ideas in these photos
Reading the signs
Irregular pH hampers the absorption of nutrients needed by the plant. So, even if you are adding fertilisers, if the soil pH is not optimum then those elements are not available to the plant. For example, if a plant’s leaves become yellow between the veins, this indicates an iron deficiency. Low iron in the soil is not the culprit. The soil’s high pH prevents the iron present in the soil from changing into a form the plant can absorb.
Irregular pH hampers the absorption of nutrients needed by the plant. So, even if you are adding fertilisers, if the soil pH is not optimum then those elements are not available to the plant. For example, if a plant’s leaves become yellow between the veins, this indicates an iron deficiency. Low iron in the soil is not the culprit. The soil’s high pH prevents the iron present in the soil from changing into a form the plant can absorb.
pH maintenance should be a part of regular gardening upkeep
We regularly water the plants, aerate the soil, pull out the weeds and add fertilisers. Similarly, checking the pH of the soil regularly should be a part of garden maintenance. Especially before the flowering or the fruiting season begins for your favourite plants, ensure that their soil pH is between 6.2 to 6.8 or as per the specific need of that plant, for best results. Some plants need unusually acidic or alkaline soils, so do check for that.
We regularly water the plants, aerate the soil, pull out the weeds and add fertilisers. Similarly, checking the pH of the soil regularly should be a part of garden maintenance. Especially before the flowering or the fruiting season begins for your favourite plants, ensure that their soil pH is between 6.2 to 6.8 or as per the specific need of that plant, for best results. Some plants need unusually acidic or alkaline soils, so do check for that.
Healthy harvest comes from healthy soil
Homegrown produce is superior in quality to the commercially grown stuff. You can add a punch of nutrients to your produce by maintaining the pH levels of the soil in which you grow your plants. Not only will this help in getting a bigger harvest, but the produce will be full of all the nutrients that are available to the plant from the soil.
Read more:
7 Steps to a Kitchen Garden in a Small Apartment
A Beginner’s Guide: How to Grow an Organic Garden
Tell us:
Have you been actively managing your soil pH? Share your experiences with us in the Comments section below.
Homegrown produce is superior in quality to the commercially grown stuff. You can add a punch of nutrients to your produce by maintaining the pH levels of the soil in which you grow your plants. Not only will this help in getting a bigger harvest, but the produce will be full of all the nutrients that are available to the plant from the soil.
Read more:
7 Steps to a Kitchen Garden in a Small Apartment
A Beginner’s Guide: How to Grow an Organic Garden
Tell us:
Have you been actively managing your soil pH? Share your experiences with us in the Comments section below.
The soil pH value is an indication of the acidity or alkalinity of soil and is measured in pH units. The pH scale goes from 0 to 14, with 7 as the neutral point. Numbers lower than 7 are considered acidic whereas numbers higher than 7 denote alkalinity.