Soil pH Testing

Soil pH is measured on a scale that goes from 1 to 14. A pH of 7, the middle of the scale, is neutral. Numbers above 7 indicate an alkaline soil, and numbers below 7 indicate an acidic soil. The numbers show a geometric relationship... an acid reading of 6 is 10 times more acidic than 7, and 5 would be 100 times more acid than 7 and so on.

The reason we measure pH is to determine the optimum growing condiotions for our plants. All growth depends on chemical reactions and plants to make chemical trades with the soil to obtain nutrients (fertilizer) so they can grow. When the pH of the soil is not in the optimum range, the plant spends too much effort trying to obtain the nutrients from the soil even though the nutrients are there... this means that you fertilize but the plant isn't really making full use of the fertilizer. We use the pH test results to find a way to make your plants grow better. For example, your bluegrass lawn is well fertilized but not as healthy as it should be and your soil pH test shows an acidic 5-3/4. We recommend you apply 40 lbs. of Pellitized Lime for each 1,000 ft² of lawn. This would raise the pH reading about ½ point to 6-1/4, which is still not quite the optimum 6½ to 7½, but is close to optimum and doesn't push the pH too fast. We would recommend another test in 6 months when you might reapply and end up with a pH of 6-3/4 and a healthier turf.

 Correcting Soil pH: To change pH ½ point on 1,000 ft²

--- Raise pH ---  Add Pellitized Lime at 40 lbs. per 1,000 ft²
--- Lower pH --- Add Sulfur at 12 lbs. per 1,000 ft²

• Plant Examples for Optimum pH Range:
  

1. Azaleas 5.0 - 6.0

2. Blueberries 5.0 - 6.0

3. Bluegrass 6.5 - 7.5

4. Pin Oaks 6.0 - 6.5

5. Potatoes 4.8 - 6.5

6. Most Vegetables 6.5 - 7.5

7. Asparagus 6.0 - 7.0

8. Begonia 6.0 - 8.0

9. Boxwood 6.5 - 7.5

10. Lily 5.0 - 6.0

11. Peony 6.0 - 8.0

12. Pepper 6.0 - 6.5

13. Rose 6.0 - 8.0

14. Strawberries 5.0 - 6.0

15. Tomatoes 6.0 - 7.0

16. Tullips 6.0 - 7.0

17. Yew 5.5 - 7.0