The soil pH level in the garden should be checked every 2-3 years, preferably in the fall. This treatment says a lot about the condition of the soil and the availability of minerals.With too acidic soil pH (below 5.0), the macronutrients necessary for plant growth are less well absorbed by plants and their development is limited.
Moreover, heavy metals contained in soil are more mobile and accumulate mainly
in the root system of plants, which is particularly dangerous in the cultivation of root vegetables.The simplest method of determining the pH of the soil is to analyze
using a soil acid meter.Soil samples taken with a spatula from several places in the vegetable garden, from a depth of 0-20 centimeters, are mixed together.
Then the soil is pre-dried and placed in the well of the plate, flooding the sample with Hellig's liquid so that a thin film of liquid remains above the soil after absorption.After 2-3 minutes, pour the liquid into the smaller cavity by tilting the plate and read the pH value on the basis of the color.For greater certainty, we can repeat the readings 2-3 times.
Remember, however, that the expired fluid is not suitable for analysis due to the significant distortion of the result.By performing the analysis in the fall, we have time to bring the soil pH to the desired state by liming.
