The pH of the soilis one of the most important factors determining the proper growth, flowering and fruiting of plants. Therefore, it is worth examining the soil and reacting accordingly to obtain apH appropriate for the plants in your gardenSee what soil pH is required by each plant. At the end of the article, we provide a practicaltable where you will find as many as 140 species of plantswith the required pH for them!
What soil pH for plants?
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What is soil pH?
The pH of the soil is theratio of the concentration of hydrogen ions to hydroxide ions in the substrate, determined by a 14-point scale. Acid soils are those whose pH level does not exceed 6.5. We talk about alkaline soils when the pH level is higher than 7.2. Soils whose pH oscillates around 6.5-7.2 are considered neutral.
If the soil pH is incorrect, plants may have difficulties in extracting nutrients from the soil , as a result, their growth is impaired and they become easily ill.
How to measure soil pH?
We can test the pH of the soil on our own . It is particularly easy to measure the pH of the soil with an electronic meter, the probe of which is placed directly in the soil and immediately reads the measurement result on the display.The electronic meter has the advantage that it also shows other parameters, such as humidity or temperature of the substrate. Therefore, it can be useful in the cultivation of potted plants and during sowing seeds and the production of seedlings.
If we are unable to measure the pH of the soil, nature itself comes to our aid. Let's take a look at the weeds growing in our garden. Some of them are found only in soils with a certain acidity.Thanks to indicator plants, we can approximately estimate the pH of the soil :
- acidic soils- violet tricolor, field purgatory, sorrel, white clover, field horsetail,
- alkaline soils- common plantain, ranunculus, bundles of field, chicory traveler, field poppy, delphinium, white light, common chamomile.
What soil pH for ornamental trees and shrubs?
The optimal pH for most plants ranges from 6.0 to 7.2(slightly acidic to neutral). However, in each group of plants there will be both plants that feel better in a more acidic soil, and those that prefer a more alkaline position.
The species that prefer or tolerate acidic soilsinclude: magnolia, rowan, mountain elm, azalea, rhododendron, kalmia, pieris, garden hydrangea, witch hazel, norway spruce, norway pine, silver fir , Chinese juniper.
Rhododendrons and most conifers prefer acidic soils
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The soil richer in calcium serves species such as : Californian fir, tufted cypress, Serbian spruce, Western thuja, hawthorn, jasmine, elderberry, hawthorn, bigonium, carrageenan Siberian, laurel, or David's budley.
What soil pH for flowers?
Many species of perennials respond well to alkaline soilsincl. ash-leaf dipper, Caucasian geese, daylilies, rock dragonfly, spring love, large-flowered anemone, garden sailor, edelweiss, hepatica, yucca, garden hellebore, alpine carnation, flat-leafed helix, garden addiction, red bellflower, bellflower
If, on the other hand,we have a more sour position , we should be interested in creeping goltery, autumn bitterness, stalkless bitterness, common heather, briar or common periwinkle.
Among flowering plants we can find species that tolerate different soil pH values
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If you want to enjoy your eyesightflowering annuals and biennials on acidic and slightly acidic soilit is best to plan the beds with the scattered velvet, narrow-leaved velvet, garden hell, lion's mouth, impatiens, garden petunias,
On alkaline soils , refined zinnia, sweet pea, double feathered cosmos and purple wolf will develop much better.
Bulbs no they give a lot of room for maneuver when it comes to the position - usually they do not like extremes and chooseneutral soil
What soil pH for fruit trees and shrubs?
Different species of fruit trees and shrubs require different levels of soil acidification, from neutral to strongly acidic soils:
- neutral soils- apple, pear, grapevine, peach, apricot
- slightly acidic soils- gooseberry, chokeberry, raspberry, currant, wild strawberry, strawberry, cherries and cherries,
- acidic soils- blueberry, large-fruited cranberry
Tomatoes favored by gardeners prefer slightly acidic soil
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What soil pH for vegetables and herbs
Most vegetables also thrive in soils with a pH of 6.0-7.0(slightly acid to neutral). If we have an acidic soil, potatoes, tomatoes, fennel and broccoli will work best there.
On a slightly alkaline soil, beans, peas, cruciferous vegetables, root vegetables, leaf vegetables and Peruvian Mushrooms are well-grown.
Herbs that correspond to acidic soils are angelica, marjoram, foxglove, and St. John's wort. Alkaline reaction is expected by mugwort, savory, sage, rosemary, oregano, borage, lavender, black cumin, lovage and fenugreek.
A complete list of up to 140 garden plants with the required soil pHis presented in the table below. The link to the table in the printable version (PDF) can be found under the table: -)
Download this table in a printable version:
- 140 garden plants with the required soil pH (PDF)
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
