Why Knowing Your Soil pH Matters for Healthy Plants

When you think about your garden's success, you might picture sunlight, water, and good seeds. But one critical factor many beginner gardeners overlook is soil pH. Understanding the pH level of your soil is key to helping plants absorb the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy.

A lush, thriving vegetable garden made possible by balanced soil pH, ensuring plants can access the nutrients they need.

What is soil pH? 

Simply put, soil pH measures how acidic or alkaline your soil is, on a scale from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is alkaline. Most plants prefer a pH between 6 and 7, but some (like blueberries or azaleas) thrive in more acidic conditions.

Why does pH matter? 

Soil pH affects how available nutrients are to your plants. Even if your soil is rich in nutrients, if the pH is too high or too low, plants can't absorb those nutrients properly. For example, iron and manganese become less available in alkaline soils, leading to yellowing leaves.

How do you know your pH? 

The only way to truly know your soil's pH is to test it. Guessing based on plant appearance or neighborhood conditions isn't reliable because soil can vary greatly, even in small areas of your yard.

Why test before amending? 

Applying lime or sulfur to adjust pH without testing can do more harm than good. Over-correcting can push your soil too far in the opposite direction, making your gardening problems worse.

Bottom line: 

Testing your soil's pH is a simple, affordable step that gives you valuable information. By knowing your pH, you can make smart, targeted decisions to create the perfect environment for your plants to thrive.