01233 332621 answering service available  |
Soil pH
This degree of acidity or alkalinity, is called pH. Which to be a bit more technical, is the concentration of hydrogen ions in the soil
So how and what does this mean to the gardener?
Well its nothing to worry unduly about as most plants will grow at around 6.5 pH and when the plant needs less/higher it usually tells you on the label, then you adjust the area of soil to where you plant that particular variety, does that make it difficult? Not really Don't worry. Let's take a look at pH from a practical point of view, just Remember, below 7 is acidic; above 7 is alkaline.
Listed below is plants along with the pH that they prefer:-
|
V.Acidic pH 5.0-5.8 Azelea blueberry Celeriac |
Moderately Acidic pH5.5-6.8
Begonia |
Slightly acidic pH 6.0-6.8
Asparagas |
Very Alkaline pH 7.0-8.0
Acacia Bottlebrush Periwinkle |
How to change the pH in your soil
The first thing you need to do is test the pH in the existing soil. Test it using a do-it-yourself kit or with a portable soil probe/pH meter which you can obtain at all good garden centres. If you need help ask at the garden centre where you purchased the kit. I don’t have to tell you about the weekends only being staffed by untrained idiots do I?
Adding organic matter to the soil tends to make both acid and alkaline soils more neutral. On the other hand, applying chemical fertilizers makes soil more acidic
If you have acidic soil
If your soil is too acid, you need to add alkaline material. The most common material is ground limestone.
Wood ashes will raise soil pH. Wood ashes contain calcium carbonate, as well as potassium, phosphorus, and many trace elements. Because it is powdery, wood ash is a fast-acting "liming" material. Limit your application to 2 lbs (4.4 kg) per 100 square feet and only apply it every other year in a particular area.
To LOWER the soil pH
shredded leaves, Sulpher, sawdust, peat moss & Pine needles are a rich source of acid.
Nitrogen in plants is critical to amino acids, proteins, and chlorophyll. It is required in very large amounts and is very mobile in the soil, making it the nutrient that requires replenishment most often. Plants deficient in nitrogen will have characteristic yellowing (chlorosis) of the leaves starting with the older leaves. Chlorosis will start at the leaf tip and progress down the leaf midrib, and growth will slow due to reduced protein synthesis and photosynthetic enzyme activity. Nitrogen deficiency may also mimic herbicide damage. Over-fertilizing with Nitrogen can also cause a decline in plant health exhibited in excessive shoot and leaf growth, reduced root growth, low plant energy reserves, and increased susceptibility to environmental stresses and some diseases. Because it is a mobile nutrient, excess nitrogen can leach through the soil and into the ground water. From there, it is carried to drinking water sources in the form of nitrates, and into lakes and streams where it reduced water quality for aquatic wildlife.
Phosphorus plays a significant role in respiration - the production of energy-rich compounds in plant cells called ATP and ADP. It is also important to the development of nucleic acids, enzymes, and phospholipids. Phosphorus promotes early plant vigor and stimulates early root growth. A phosphorus deficiency is noted by a dark, greenish-purple color change to foliage, especially in the leaf margins. Contrary to nitrogen, phosphorus moves very little in the soil, binding tightly to soil particles. Because of this, soils that are high in phosphorous will sustain plant growth without additional applications of phosphorus fertilizers. Leaves and other organic yard wastes are the primary sources of excess phosphorus in surface waters which causes algae bloom. If left on hard surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, and gutters, phosphorus can leach from these wastes into the storm sewer system and eventually into surface waters. Therefore, it is important to rake, remove and compost grass clippings, fallen leaves, and other yard waste from hard surface areas.
Potassium is important in enzyme activation, transpiration, osmosis, and the opening and closing of the stomates on plant foliage. Potassium deficiency symptoms include mottled or chlorotic leaves with small necrotic spots at the leaf tips and margins. Chlorosis starts at the lower leaf margins and progresses upward. Plants with potassium deficiency may also have poor drought tolerance and weak stems. Potassium is held on the surfaces of soil particles and moves little in most soils; however, it can gradually move out of the root zone in very sandy soils. Soils naturally high in potassium do not require supplemental fertilization.
This page has not yet been completed by the owner of this site.
pH Preference of Fruits and Vegetables
|
Beans |
6.0-7.5 |
Lettuce |
6.0-7.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Blueberry |
4.0-6.0 |
Onion |
6.0-7.0 |
|
Cabbage |
6.0-7.5 |
Potato |
4.5-6.0 |
|
Cantaloupe |
6.5-7.5 |
Rhubarb |
5.5-7.0 |
|
Carrot |
5.5-7.0 |
Strawberry |
5.0-7.5 |
|
Grape |
6.0-7.0 |
Tomato |
5.5-7.5 |
pH Preference of Flowers,Trees,Shrubs and Annuals
|
Azalea |
4.5-6.0 |
Junipers |
5.0-6..5 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Carnation |
6.0-7.5 |
Petunias |
6.0-7.5 |
|
Chrysanthemum |
6.0-7.0 |
Pansies |
5.5-7.0 |
|
Daffodil |
6.0-6.5 |
Roses - Hybrid Tea |
5.5-7.0 |
|
Geraniums |
6.0-8.0 |
Roses - Climbing |
6.0-7.0 |
|
Hydrangea - blue |
4.0-5.0 |
Spruce |
4.5-5.5 |
|
Hydrangea - pink |
6.0-7.0 |
Rhododendron |
4.5-6.0 |
pH Preference of Turf Grasses
|
Creeping Bent Grass |
5.5-6.5 |
|---|---|
|
Fine Fescue |
5.5-6.5 |
|
Kentucky Bluegrass |
6.0-7.0 |
|
Perennial Ryegrass |
5.5-7.0 |
Trees, pH 5.0-7.4
Silver maple - Acer saccharinum
Sugar maple - Acer saccharum
Serviceberry Amelanchier laevis
Bitternut hickory Carya cordiformis
Shagbark hickory Carya ovata
Tulip tree Liriodendron tulipifera
White Pine Pinus strobus
Black cherry Prunus serotina
Am Chokeberry Prunus virginiana
Shingle oak Quercus imbricaria
Red oak Quercus rubra
Black oak Quercus velutina
Bald cypress Taxodium distichum
|
|
