Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Correct the Soil pH
How to Correct the Soil pH. Soil pH measures the amount of hydrogen ions in a soil -- the term pH stands for "potential hydrogen." The pH scale goes from 0 to 14, indicating whether the soil is more acidic or more alkaline. A reading of 7.0 is neutral and means that the soil is balanced between acidity and alkalinity. Readings above 7.0 indicate a...
Soil pH measures the amount of hydrogen ions in a soil -- the term pH stands for "potential hydrogen." The pH scale goes from 0 to 14, indicating whether the soil is more acidic or more alkaline. A reading of 7.0 is neutral and means that the soil is balanced between acidity and alkalinity. Readings above 7.0 indicate a more alkaline soil; readings below 7.0 indicate a more acidic soil. Different plants thrive in soils with different pH factors. In certain cases, you may want to change the pH of your soil so you can grow certain types of plants.
Things You'll Need
Soil test kit
Hydrated lime or agricultural limestone
Spreader
Rototiller
Sulfur
Determine pH
Test your soil with a kit to identify its current pH level. Follow the specific instructions for your kit.
Identify the soil pH that is best for the plants you want to grow. Determine whether your garden's soil is too acid or alkaline for these plants.
Change your soil's pH slowly over several seasons to avoid over-correcting, which is easily done. Test your soil each year before applying amendments to make your soil more acidic or alkaline.
Raise pH
Add hydrated lime or agricultural limestone to your soil to make it more alkaline. Follow the directions on the bag or container to determine the correct amount to add per square yard.
Apply the lime or limestone with a spreader or rototiller. Avoid applying it on grass that is wilted or covered with frost.
Water the soil after applying the additive. Make sure no limestone is left on the top of the grass, if you applied it there.
Lower pH
Add sulfur to your soil to make it more acidic. Sulfur may be sold as rock sulfur, farm sulfur or dusting sulfur.
Add 1.2 oz. of sulfur per square yard if you have sandy soil. Add 3.6 oz of sulfur per square yard for other soils. Mix it thoroughly into the soil with a tiller.
Wait for the sulfur treatment to take effect. This might takes months, because the microbes in the soil must first break down the sulfur before any change in pH can take place.
Tips & Warnings
You can purchase a soil test kit at a hardware store or garden center.
Consider having your soil tested by a lab. Though this method is more expensive than testing it yourself, the results are more detailed.
Sulfur is available at garden centers or feed stores.
