The pH Levels in Potting Soil
When you start growing plants, a wide range of factors must be considered. Everything from sunlight and moisture to soil texture and temperature will affect the outcome of your gardening. But pH, which measures the acidity or alkalinity of soil, is certainly among the most important . Does this Spark an idea?
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pH Levels
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Potting soil with a pH of 6.6 to 7.3 is considered neutral. Any higher number indicates alkaline soil and a lower number means acidic soil. Most garden vegetables thrive in soil that is neutral to slightly acidic.
Ingredients
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The pH of your potting soil depends on what type of soil it is and what it is made up of. Various ingredients in potting soil have a different pH. For example, peat moss has a pH of 3.5 to 4.5, sphagnum has a pH of 4.0 to 5.0 and vermiculite has a pH of 6.5 to 7.2. If you buy a potting mixture, its pH should be labeled on the bag.
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Considerations
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If the pH of your potting soil needs to be changed, a number of options are available. Liming, the process of adding crushed limestone to soil, is a common way to raise the pH. Finely ground eggshells or oyster shells also work. Adding elemental sulphur or nitrogen fertilizer can help to lower pH.
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References
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