Alkaline vs. Acidic Soil: Helpful Tips for Testing Your Soil’s pH

The acidity of your soil plays a crucial role in determining which plants will thrive in your garden. Some plants require specific pH levels and particular nutrients or minerals to grow successfully. To decide whether you need to adjust your soil’s pH—either raising or lowering it—the first step is to test and understand its current pH level.

Not everyone has access to special kits that can provide an accurate assessment of your soil’s pH. Fortunately, there are ways to do that without a kit.

You can test your soil with a combination of vinegar and baking soda. Collect some soil from different parts of your garden, and add about ½ cup of vinegar per 1 cup of soil. If it fizzes, your soil has a pH between 7 and 8, which is considered alkaline.

If it doesn’t fizz, use a second batch of soil in a second cup. Add distilled water to the container, then add ½ cup of baking soda. If it fizzes it means the pH is somewhere between 5 and 6 (acidic). The goal is to obtain soil that doesn’t react at all. This would mean the soil is neutral, having a pH of 7.

Once you know the pH levels, you can find out what type of plants will grow best in the soil on your property. Remember to contact 811 at least 3 business days before starting any digging project.