pH Testing Tip - The Organic Vegetable Gardening Guru

Test Your pH

Soil pH can make a big difference in plant
health and production, so test your pH and
amend as necessary for a great garden!

There are several types of pH testers
available. One of the easiest to use
is the pH meter, which consists
of a wand you stick in the soil
attached to a meter that tells you
the pH of that particular spot. What-
ever method you choose, follow
package directions to get the best
results.

Check a pH chart (or see Vegetable
Bios) to find out what pH is best
for the plants you want to grow in
each area of the garden.

Amend the soil as necessary, either raising or lowering pH to suit the plant. Peppers, for example, prefer acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.8. To lower the pH, add sulpher to the soil before planting or sprinkle coffee grounds around the plants after they are in the ground.

To raise soil pH, add powdered lime to the soil, either mixing in before planting or scattering around plants and watering in after planting.