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How to Measure Soil Acidity

Most plants grow properly if the pH of soil is between 6.5 and 7.2. Soil acidity: concept ph The pH (or "potential hydrogen") measures the acidity or alkalinity of your soil if the pH is less than 7, the soil is acid; if it exceeds 7, the alkaline earth is, while a pH of 7.0 defines a neutral soil. However, some plants need an acidic soil to grow frankly correctly. This is for example the case of heather, azaleas, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, camellias, magnolias, etc. Measuring the pH of the soil? Soil Acidity
Assessment in the native flora The observation of the natural flora provides a pretty good indication of the pH of a soil: Some plants report a field acid: gorse, heather, horsetail, buttercup, sorrel, sorrel, etc. Other plants reported limestone terrain, so alkaline: chicory, clover, marigold, etc. Analysis kits For a more accurate result, garden centers offer kits allow you to measure yourself very easily the pH of your soil. The use is very simple: just pour a liquid reagent on a soil sample and compare the resulting color with that of a reference color chart provided. Correct soil acidity in his garden It is always difficult to try to correct the soil pH and, in general, adapt crops to the ground than the reverse. However, it is possible to correct an inappropriate pH providing floor amendments or alkalizing or acidifying fertilizer. Correct too acidic soil Amendments to allow lime alkalizing pH too acidic. In use, however with moderation: insufficient liming is preferable to excessive liming, which would cause a too rapid change of the bio-physical and chemical processes of the earth.

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