Soil

Topsoil is the living layer of earth, a combination of organic and inorganic matter, minerals and water. This delicate and fertile layer of earth is from 5 to 12 inches deep in some geographic...

A pH value reflects the acidity of a substance. Neutral is a pH of 7. Values below 7 correspond to acidic solutions, while basic solutions have pH above 7. Soil pH is an important factor that...

Blueberry bushes make up a large family of fruiting bush with species growing both above the Arctic Circle and well into the humid southern reaches of North America. Blueberries are related to...

Soil varies throughout the world, and Italy has soil like no other. Both acidic and alkaline, Italian soils are used to produce everything from bold vineyard grapes to everyday herbs such as rosemary.

There are a wonderful variety of plants that love acid soil. Among them are azaleas, rhododendrons, hollies, conifers, ferns and hydrangea. You'll also find plants that produce edible fruits such...

Alkaline soils have a pH of over 7.1 to 14. Acid soils have a pH of 0 to 6.9, with pH 7 being neutral. Clay soil tends toward the alkaline, not the acidic

Adding Sulfur to clay soil is done in order to lower the alkaline levels in the clay, and raise the acidic levels. It's a process often used by gardeners, landscapers or farmers operating in...

A soil analysis measures the amount of various elements in a soil sample that are usable by plants and needed for their growth. Lime is made up of two such elements, calcium and magnesium.

Citrus trees including lemon can flourish in a range of soils, including poor soil, but most prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Lemon trees do not like extremes of alkaline soil (pH above...

Growing an organic garden requires that soil be neutralized so it is neither too acidic nor too alkaline. After testing the pH level, gardeners often find that their soil contains too much acid. ...

To create an optimal growing medium for your garden plants, it is often necessary to change the chemical balance in the soil itself. Some plants prefer alkalized soil, while others prefer a more...

Soil test kits are not typically very complex. The prices of the kits range from about $5 to $35 and, for the most part, they are simply used to test the pH level of your soil. However, with a few...

Soil pH is the measure of how acidic or alkaline a soil is. The soil pH level is can affect nutrient availability for some plants. You can alter the pH level by adding lime or wood ash to the...

Plants typically thrive in alkaline, or basic, soil. Alkaline soil that has a pH of 7.5 to 14. Plants such as azaleas, pine trees and blueberries, however, prefer acidic soil, which measures 1.0...

Soil pH affects plants' ability to obtain nutrients from the soil. Plants generally get maximum benefit from nutrients in the soil when the pH is between 5.5 and 7.

The acid content of soil is measured by the pH level. A pH level of less than seven indicates an acidic soil, while a pH greater than seven is a basic or alkali condition. Materials added to the...

A soil test chemically extracts and measures the elements essential to plant nutrition. A soil test measures things such as soil acidity and pH, which can indicate the soil's available nutrients...

The pH of your soil can impact how well your plants grow in your yard or garden. Different plants have different pH preferences. The pH scale measures the concentration of hydrogen and hydroxide...

To flourish, garden vegetables need a good general fertilizer containing all the major and trace elements. The specific amount of those nutrients depends upon the quality of the soil in your...

The pH of a soil affects how well different plants will grow in it. For example, watermelons can grow in soils with pH levels as low as 5.0, while beets need a pH of above 6.0 to flourish. The pH...

Soil pH is the measure of acidity or alkalinity of the soil. The soil pH affects the availability of the nutrients to the plants and the activity of the microorganisms in the soil. Key nutrients...

A number of plants---blueberries, evergreens, azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons, just to name a few---need acidic soil. Acidifying potting soil can be accomplished relatively easily with an...

An often overlooked component of successful gardening by amateur or inexperienced gardeners is soil pH. The pH level is an indication of whether the soil is acidic or alkaline; plants, trees and...

Testing your soil with litmus strips will determine its pH. A pH test using litmus trips will assist you in discovering whether your soil is acidic or alkaline. Different garden plants. flowers,...

Keeping the soil healthy for your garden can be a bit of a balancing act. Placing too much of one nutrient can sometimes strip another of its effectiveness. Plants need enough iron in the soil to...

Several plants, such as blueberries and rhododendrons, require acidic soil. Others require alkaline soil, such as clematis. For a soil to be considered acidic, it must have a pH (potential...

Because different grass seeds have diffferent pH (potential hydrogen ion) preferences, testing the pH of the soil in your lawn can give you an idea of what your soil needs to nourish and sustain a...

If you are interested in growing food in your own garden, it is important to know the pH of your soil. Most vegetables strive in alkaline soil, but flowers and fruits tend to do better in slightly...

Soil pH tests provide essential information to gardeners about the overall condition of their soil. When a test is conducted through the County Extension office, gardeners receive not only a pH...

Some plants need acidic soil to grow, but not all soil is naturally acidic. To find out the pH of your soil, take a sample to a garden store or plant nursery for testing. A pH below 7 indicates...

Lime is often overlooked by gardeners as a fertilizer option. Many stick to traditional types such as nitrogen and potassium. Lime offers several advantages if used to balance soil and it helps...

Every year, 1 percent of topsoil is lost due to agriculture and erosion. Poor farming practices can result in unhealthy soil, which leads to lower crop yields and eventually topsoil that needs to...

Soil pH test strips (similar to litmus paper) offer answers about the acidity or alkalinity of a soil sample. The pH scale ranges from 1 (acid) to 14 (alkali) with 7 being neutral. Generally most...

The success or failure of your new lawn depends on how well you prepare your soil. Although preparing soil is time consuming, you will reap the benefits of your labor once your lawn begins to grow...

Most plant species require a soil pH in a range of 5.8 to 7.0 on the pH scale. Soil pH may need adjusting due to overfertilization or water leaching important minerals from the soil bed. There are...

The pH level is a scale that displays how acidic or alkaline something is. A pH level less than 7 means, whatever it is you are testing is dominantly acidic and a level over 7 means it is more...

Sand is the result of rocks and minerals being broken down by weathering. The particle size varies from a diameter of 1/16 mm up to 2 mm. Sand's pH can vary depending on what materials are mixed in.

One of the best ways to ensure a thriving and fruitful garden is to have well-prepared soil before you plant. This involves removing existing sod from the planting area and adding organic...

Alkaline soils are determined by a pH test. This soil test is conducted to find the level of how sweet, alkaline or acidic the level of pH is in a soil sample. A neutral pH level is identified as...

Organic gardening focuses on dealing with pestilence and weeds in a natural manner, without chemicals. The idea is, the less chemicals our foods are grown with, the less we will ingest into our...

Soils are made up of a mixture of silt, organic matter, clay and sand. There's no such thing as perfect soil. Every soil has problems. Good soil is loose and crumbly, has a lot of air spaces and...

Sphagnum peat moss is the dead, decomposing matter that collects beneath the top, living level of a peat bog. Sphagnum peat is an organic soil conditioner that aerates poor soil and holds in...

There are four steps you need to get right to create the perfect soil for your summer garden plants and vegetables. First the main components of your soil must be in the correct ratio, they must...

Across the United States, millions of pots of coffee are brewed every day. This results in millions of pounds of spent coffee grounds and coffee filters going into landfills every day. Coffee...

Adjusting your soils pH to match your plants needs can be done in a few easy steps.

Since every plant has its own pH preference, all gardeners should know how to use a soil pH meter. These devices differ from liquid pH meters and can give a fast and accurate reading on the pH of...

Whether you are a chemist, environmentalist or home gardener, you may find yourself needing to measure the acidity or alkalinity of a certain liquid. The best way to do this is by using a pH...

Cooler temperatures are just one of the things that will impact how a flower or vegetable garden grows. But in order for plants to grow successfully in the cooler months, they must first be...

Soil pH is considered a measurement of hydrogen ion concentration. Usually, soils break down into one of two categories when it comes to PH levels. A place with high rainfall produces soil high in...

You may wonder why some gardens look better and grow healthier plants than others. And if you are the one with the unhealthy garden, chances are you need to prepare your soil. To the novice...