The pH of the soilis a very important parameter for proper plant growth. Many plants are not able to absorb nutrients from the substrate if the pH is not correct. Then the plants grow poorly and lose their value. Fortunately, thanks to the use of appropriate acidifying or de-acidifying fertilizers, we canchange the pH of the soilin our garden. Learn the easy way to treat acidic or alkaline soil!
How to change the pH of the soil?
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Why is soil pH so important?
The pH of the soil has a significant influence on the development of plants . There are plants that are tolerant to soil pH, but the vast majority of plants in our gardens have specific preferences for soil acidity.
A good example are acidophilic plants such as American blueberry, azaleas and rhododendrons, whichcannot get nutrients from the substrate if the pH is too high , and their leaves quickly show chlorosis (leaves lose green, light yellow in color). Therefore, blueberries should be very acidic (pH 4.5 or lower), and azaleas and rhododendrons - acidic (pH 4.6 to 5.5).
In turn, roses popular in our gardens, as well as fruit trees, such as apple and pear trees,should be provided with slightly acidic soil, with a pH of 5.6 to 6.5A slightly acidic soil will also be suitable for many vegetables, including tomatoes that are so beloved by gardeners, as well as for onions, dill and parsley.
Of course, there are also plants that require a much higher pH of the earth , that is neutral or alkaline soil. A neutral reaction (soil pH from 6.6 to 7.2) is required by such fruit trees as cherries, cherries, plums, peaches, apricots, as well as numerous vegetables, including e.g. pumpkin, peas, lettuce and cucumbers. Few plants prefer an extremely alkaline pH (soil pH above 7.2), but it can be beneficial, for example, for some cruciferous vegetables (e.g. Brussels sprouts grow well in soil with a pH of 6.2 to 7.5, while white cabbage tolerates soil with a pH reaction of up to 7.7).
The pH of the soil is also important for the lawnLawns grow best in soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. If the soil is too acidic, the turf loses its aesthetic value, and weeds and moss quickly appear on the lawn.
To sum up - what pH of the soil we would not have in the garden, there will always be plants that we want to plant, and they require a different pH of the earth than the present one.Therefore, for many plants you simply have tochange the pH of the garden soilto suit their requirements.
How to check the pH of the soil in the garden?
Before we start changing the pH of the soil in the garden, you must of coursedetermine the pH of the soil in your garden at present . For this purpose, various methods are used, from litmus papers to very complex electronic soil meters.
For simpler soil tests, it is necessary totake soil samples from several places in the gardenThese samples are usually mixed with Hellig's liquid and the color obtained, or with distilled water and a litmus paper is dipped in the solution, with which is then read off the resulting color.The accuracy of the measurement depends on our efficiency in performing them and the type of the selected soil pH measurement kit
The most accurate results are obtained using an electronic soil meter, which, apart from the pH value, can also measure soil moisture and temperature.Importantly, the probe of the meter is placed directly in the ground, in a selected place in the garden, without the need to take soil samples for testing.
How to regulate the pH of the soil in the garden?
If we find thatsoil pH is lower than required for the desired plants, it will be necessary to raise the soil pH, otherwise - deacidificationFor example, if the measurement of the soil pH under the lawn shows that the soil has a pH of 5.0, and we know that grass grows best in the soil pH range from 6.0 to 7.0, we need to raise the pH of our soil by at least +1 pH.
In order to increase the pH of the soil, calcium fertilizers are most often used , i.e. ground limestone, post-soda chalk or lime flour. The most popular calcium fertilizer among gardeners is Dolomite, which also enriches the soil with magnesium. Unfortunatelythe effects of using Dolomite can be seen no sooner than in the next year after its use However, the advantage is that they also last for a long time (with Dolomite it is enough to lime once every few years).
Soil liming is usually carried out outside the period of plant growth - in late autumn or early spring.So we cannot liming the soil at any time of the yearYou should also keep a distance of at least 2-3 weeks from liming to applying other fertilizers so that there are no unfavorable changes in the soil. Gardenersa lot of problems is also caused by determining the appropriate doses of calcium fertilizers
Therefore, in the cultivation of amateur plants in the garden , a much better solution turns out to be a soil deacidifier, prepared especially for gardeners, pH +substrate. It is a very easy-to-use fertilizer that de-acidifies the soil, brings quick results.
Deacidifier The pH + medium is dosed very easily100 ml pack should be dissolved in 10 liters of water, and then the surface should be watered to 10m² of soil. This should raise the soil pH by about +1 pH.However, the result may vary depending on the abundance and structure of the substrate.
Thanks to the use of a deacidifier Subsoil pH +regulating the pH of the soil becomes child's play for gardeners !
If the previously measured pH of the soil has shown thatthe soil is too high, the soil will have to be acidified to lower the pHIf, for example, the soil in the garden has a pH equal to 5.0, and we want to cultivate highbush blueberry, which requires acid soil with a pH below 4.5, our soil will have to be acidified with an acidifying fertilizer.
Acidifying fertilizers includeammonium sulphate, potassium sulphate and magnesium sulphate. You can also buy powdered or granulated sulfur. Unfortunately, as in the case of liming,the use of sulfur fertilizers causes a lot of problems for gardeners .
And hereas a solution comes the acidifier pH substrate- . As in the case of the deacidifier, acidifier. PH substrate - use 100 ml per 10 liters of water, which is enough to water 10m² of the garden. We can expect the pH of the soil to drop by about -1.
