The health of your plants is dependent on the soil's pH.How much the plants absorb is determined by the pH of the water.To adjust your soil's pH, you first need to determine what changes to make.There are a number of compounds that you can add to make a change.Adding a liming material or another base compound will raise the pH.You should have healthy plants once you have evaluated your soil and applied the correct material.
Step 1: Do you know the type of soil?
You need to know what type of soil you have before you add anything to it.Determine if the soil is wet or dry.This will show you what altering the soil may look like.You should understand your soil type early.It will be easier to change the soil that is well-drained and loose.It will be difficult to change the soil that has a lot of clay.Determining your soil type will help you figure out how to apply materials to it.
Step 2: Understand the soil's pH.
To adjust your soil's pH, you will need to know what that is.The soil's pH is a representation of how acidic or alkaline it is.The soil's pH is determined by a scale from zero to 14, with seven being neutral and neither acidic nor alkaline.Anything under seven is acidic.Most plants prefer a pH between six and seven and a half, as do earthworms and microorganisms, which help your plants.
Step 3: Take into account what you are planting.
The type of plants you grow will affect the pH of your soil.The flowers and fruit plants prefer a more acidic soil.You should research the recommended pH levels for the plants you want to grow.Vegetables, grasses and most ornamentals prefer acidic soils.
Step 4: Test the soil's acidity.
You will want to get the soil tested if you have an understanding of the type of soil you are dealing with.You can purchase a commercial test at a local home and garden store or send a sample to a company that will test it for you.The easiest way to test your soil is to dig a hole, fill it with water and then insert a test probe into the muddy water.Sending a soil sample to be tested will give you a more accurate indication of your soil's pH.
Step 5: Have your water tested to make sure it's safe.
Do you know how your water affects your soil?The water used in homes and gardens tends to be more alkaline.The rain tends to be more acidic.If you live in a place with a lot of rain, your soil may be more acidic.Your soil may be more alkaline if you mostly water your garden or yard with water from a faucet.Commercial pH test strips can be used.
Step 6: Pick out a material.
Adding a base can raise the pH if you have found that your soil is too acidic.Most home and garden stores carry compounds made from powdered limestone, or lime, which are used to increase the pH of soil.There are four types of standard lime.Depending on your soil type and the amount of water in the ground, one of these compounds may be a good option.It is easier to absorb shredded lime by the soil.It is difficult to spread because it can cause problems.It is easier to spread Granular and pelletized lime.Changing the soil pH is not as effective as altering it.Since it is more water-soluble and can quickly increase a soil's pH, hydrated lime should only be used with extremely acidic soils.There is a mixture of calcium and magnesium carbonates in some lime sources.Dolomitic lime is only used if your soil is magnesium deficient.Don't add more magnesium to soils that are already high in it.
Step 7: Think about burning wood.
The ash of burned trees can add a number of vitamins and minerals.Lime is more effective than wood ash.Over time, it can increase the soil's pH.You should keep a close eye on the soil as you apply wood ash.It's a good idea to keep the ash from coming into contact with the plant roots.In sandy soil, wood ash works well.
Step 8: You should apply the liming source.
In order to get the best results, you will want to till the liming material into the soil about two to three months before planting so that there is plenty of time for the pH to change.The lime should be tilled into the root zone of the soil.If you have a small amount of land, you can apply the lime by hand.You can use a spreader to spread the liming material.The liming material can be worked into the soil with a rake or a rototiller.The effect of lime will be maximized by tilling it into the soil.
Step 9: Don't forget to water the soil.
You will need to apply water on a regular basis if you want lime to have an effect on dry soils.The water helps the lime get into the soil.Water can be applied with a garden hose or sprinkler.The amount of water in the soil depends on the size of the plot of land.Too much watering can damage the soil.
Step 10: Use organic material.
Composted manure, pine needles, and other organic matter can lower the soil's pH over time.This is only applicable if you have long-term gardening goals.It's a good option for organic gardening.Improving a soil's drainage and aeration can be done with organic matter.The application is best for small plots because of the amount of organic matter used and the time needed to break it down into usable soil.
Step 11: Sulfur should be applied.
Adding sulfur can increase the acidity of your soil.The effectiveness of sulfur depends on a number of factors.It can take several months for sulfur to lower a soil's pH.Most home and garden stores have sulfur.powdered sulfur is too fine for acidifying soil.The increase in acidity is due to a biological reaction.
Step 12: Adding aluminum sulfate is something you should think about.
A chemical reaction involving aluminum makes the soil more acidic.Many amateur and small-scale gardeners prefer aluminum sulfate to organic compounds.It can be difficult to control the soil acidity because it alters the pH so quickly.Most home and garden stores sell aluminum sulfate.Because aluminum sulfate creates a chemical reaction in the ground, some farmers and gardeners are less inclined to use it over materials that produce acidity through a biological reaction.
Step 13: Make sure the materials are in the soil.
To be effective, you will need to till the organic compounds, sulfur and aluminum sulfate into the soil.Depending on the soil's pH, organic compounds may need multiple applications.Before applying, be sure to test the soil.Do not apply sulfur or aluminum sulfate.
Step 14: After application, rinse your plants.
If sulfur or aluminum sulfate gets on the leaves of your plants, you will need to rinse it off with a hose.Burn to the leaves and damage to your plants can be caused by failure to rinse them off.The compounds set when plants are watered.