by John Shaggy

Created on: August 26, 2010   Last Updated: August 28, 2010

When we plant either a vegetable or flower garden, we have a specific result in mind.  We want what we plant to grow, otherwise, why expend the time and effort necessary to achieve the desired goal.  The conditions of whether a particular plant species grows or not may depend on the pH, (or alkalinity or acidity) of the soil they are put down in. 

Soil pH calculates on a scale from zero to fourteen, with zero being acidic, seven neutral, and fourteen alkaline. Acidic soil in defined as having a pH less than 6.5 and alkaline soils typically have pH above 7.4, (www.en.mimi.hu>Gardening).  The terms acid or alkaline actually define the amount of calcium present in the soil, an essential nutrient for any plant or animal life.  The nonprofessional term is lime, and soils are referred to as sour is acidic and sweet if alkaline.  Most plants of the flower or vegetable variety grow well in a neutral soil with a pH of about seven, where the soil is neither too acid nor alkaline to stunt or impede growth.

There are exceptions to the rule, as many evergreen varieties grow better in a more acidic soil, and many members of the cabbage family and Clematis thrive in an alkaline state.  Ground covers seem to do better in alkaline conditions than other shrubs or flowering plants, and oddly enough, oak trees are an alkaline tolerant species.  What will grow best for your garden will also depend to a large degree on the climate in your area.

By this time, you may be wondering what pH your soil has and wondering what plants to purchase.  Before you purchase your plants, check your soil pH levels to determine what you need to do.  There are several ways to do this, but the cheapest method is the litmus paper used in high school chemistry class.  Many greenhouses or nurseries carry litmus paper, which will tell you within a minute or two whether you have acidic or alkaline soil.  If you are interested in a more detailed analysis, you can purchase a comprehensive soil testing kit from your local agricultural extension service, or have a sample of your soil tested at a local university if this service is available.

This brief, introductory users guide of what soil pH is, what its importance is, and how to apply it to everyday life in your own gardens or flowerbeds. This may help you to understand how the soil, climate, and of course the plants themselves all work together in harmony.  There are multitudes of good websites if you want to explore soil pH in more detail.

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