| Soil pH could mean the difference in life or death for | | | | Peat moss is another great way to lower your soil |
| your plants. Have you ever planted a tree or shrub | | | | pH, but it will only last for about one season. |
| only to watch it slowly decline? It could be the pH of | | | | Raising your soil pH makes it more alkaline. If you are |
| your soil. Different plants require different levels of | | | | planting things that need a more alkaline soil, it may |
| acidity. By testing your soil and adjusting the pH, you | | | | be as easy as watering an area by hand over a |
| can grow a garden full of the plants that you love. | | | | period of time. Test your water to see if it is alkaline |
| In general, arid climates have alkaline soil and humid | | | | before using this method. Adding lime to the soil is a |
| areas have acidic soil. Acidity levels can vary | | | | quick and easy way to raise the pH levels. Follow |
| depending on what plants and trees you already | | | | directions exactly so that you do not over do it. Soils |
| have growing. Bring a sample of your soil to your | | | | that drain well may require more lime than soils that |
| local nursery or hardware store. Most will just test | | | | are hard or sandy. |
| the pH of your soil for you. You can also buy your | | | | In general, plants that require alkaline soils will need to |
| own testing kit, which is generally an inexpensive | | | | have a pH of higher than 7.0, which is neutral. Be |
| investment. If you discover that you will need to | | | | careful about going too high, because most plants will |
| adjust the pH of your soil to grow the plants that | | | | not grow in soil that has a pH of higher than 7.5. |
| you want to grow, then it may be worth it to go | | | | Plants that require acidic soil will require a pH of below |
| ahead and purchase the kit. | | | | 7.0. Usually you will not want your soil to be lower |
| Lowering your soil pH will make it more acidic. Acidic | | | | than about 6.2. |
| soil is generally preferred for many common | | | | Gardening and landscaping can be an enjoyable |
| landscaping plants. Many people choose to naturally | | | | experience when you know what to plant where. |
| lower the pH of their soil by working in coffee | | | | Adjusting the soil can make growing your favorite |
| grounds, pine needles or pine mulch over the course | | | | plants pleasurable. Keep your garden hose reel handy |
| of several months or even years. If you need faster | | | | for easy watering, prune when necessary and your |
| results, you may decide to use acidic fertilizers or | | | | plants in their proper soil will need little else. |
| sulfur, available at your nursery or hardware store. | | | | |