What is “pH?” Why is it Important?

Devised in 1909, the pH scale measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. The scale ranges from 0-14. Pure water is “neutral” and has a pH of 7, midway between 0 and 14. If a solution has a low concentration of hydrogen ions, the rating will be a higher number and is considered basic or alkaline. Likewise, a high concentration of hydrogen ions rates a lower number and is considered acidic.

What does this mean to your garden?

There are four important, and intertwined, reasons to monitor your soil’s pH level:

1. pH affects the availability of other nutrients in the soil. If the nutrients are not available because they are chemically bound to something else, the plant can’t use the nutrient.
2. A high or low pH level in the soil allows some plant diseases to multiply
3. Most organisms living in the soil have pH preferences. For example, earthworms are not as plentiful in acidic soil.
4. Most plants have specific pH requirements to flourish.

Acidic soil generally occurs in heavy rainfall areas. Alkaline soil is more common where there is less rain. However, this is just a generalization and neighbors across the street from each other may have a large pH difference. Reasons could include the origin of topsoil brought in, the tillage done in the area, and prior occupants’ gardening habits.

Most plants will grow well in the neutral zone of 6.5 – 7. However, some plants grow best in specific soil pH conditions. Interestingly, hydrangeas grow well in both slightly acidic and slightly alkaline soils, but the flowers will be blue in acidic soil or pink in alkaline soil.

As you see, pH can influence your gardening choices. Do you know the pH of your garden’s soil? Knowing the pH of your soil is the first step towards understanding your soil and improving your garden. By knowing the pH, you may choose the best plants for your site. You may also decide to amend your soil to increase or decrease the pH to grow a wider variety of plants.

We offer several inexpensive and easy to use pH test kits. We also offer amendment advice and can help you choose the best plant for your needs.