DIY Soil pH Test - Garden Quickie Episode 114

Summary

In this episode of The Garden Quickie, Jeff from The Ripe Tomato Farms demonstrates how to quickly and cheaply test soil pH using just two household ingredients—vinegar and baking soda. He explains how to collect soil samples, test for alkalinity with vinegar, and test for acidity with baking soda. The tests reveal whether the soil is acidic, neutral, or alkaline, giving growers valuable insight into soil conditions. While not precise on the full pH scale, these tests provide a useful indication of where the soil stands, making it easier to adjust for better plant growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 Soil pH is crucial for plant health; if it's outside the acceptable range, plants will suffer or perish.
• 😀 Quickly testing soil pH is extremely useful for gardeners to monitor soil health on the fly.
• 😀 Two household ingredients, vinegar and baking soda, can be used to test soil pH inexpensively.
• 😀 Collect two equal soil samples (about a cup each) for testing, or combine samples from different areas if needed.
• 😀 To test for alkalinity (high pH), add vinegar to the soil. If it bubbles, the pH is alkaline (greater than 7).
• 😀 If no bubbles form after adding vinegar, the soil is either neutral or acidic.
• 😀 For acidity (low pH), liquefy the soil by adding water and then add baking soda. Bubbling indicates acidic soil.
• 😀 If there’s no reaction after adding baking soda, the soil is likely neutral or alkaline.
• 😀 Both the vinegar and baking soda tests need to be performed together to accurately determine soil pH.
• 😀 While these tests won’t give an exact pH value, they provide a useful indication of whether the soil is acidic, neutral, or alkaline.

Q & A

Why is pH important for plant success?

pH is crucial for plant success because it affects the availability of nutrients in the soil. If the pH is outside the acceptable range, plants will either underperform or fail to thrive.

What can happen if the soil pH is too high or too low?

If the soil pH is too high (alkaline) or too low (acidic), plants may suffer from nutrient deficiencies, poor growth, or even death.

How can you quickly test your soil pH?

You can test soil pH quickly and cheaply using just two household ingredients: vinegar and baking soda.

What is the first test for soil pH, and how does it work?

The first test is to check for alkalinity (high pH). You add vinegar to the soil, and if bubbles form, the soil has an alkaline pH (greater than 7). The bubbling indicates a reaction between the acid (vinegar) and the alkaline soil.

What does it mean if no bubbles form when you add vinegar to the soil?

If no bubbles form, it means the soil is either neutral (pH 7) or acidic, not alkaline.

How does the second test for soil pH work?

The second test checks for acidity. You mix the soil with water to create a soupy mixture, then add baking soda. If bubbles form, it indicates the soil is acidic (pH below 7).

What does it mean if no reaction occurs when you add baking soda to the soil?

If no bubbles form when you add baking soda, it means the soil is either neutral or alkaline. This test helps confirm the soil's acidity or neutrality.

Why is it important to perform both tests?

Both tests are necessary to determine whether the soil is acidic or alkaline. Each test rules out the other possibility, giving a clearer understanding of the soil's pH.

Do these tests give the exact pH value of the soil?

No, these tests don't provide the exact pH value on the 14-point pH scale. However, they can help determine whether the soil is acidic, neutral, or alkaline.

How can the results of these tests benefit a grower?

Knowing the soil's pH helps growers adjust soil conditions for optimal plant growth. It provides valuable information to determine what amendments or adjustments are needed for healthier plants.