How to Adjust the Soil PH Level

The soil in your yard may be dark, rich and fertile, but if the pH levels of the soil are too low or too high, all of that fertility is going to be going to waste. That's because plants grow best in soil within a certain pH range. If your soil is too acidic or too basic, some of the plants you want to grow in your garden simply won't. That makes it necessary to adjust the pH level of your soil.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lime
• Sulfur
• Soil testing kit

1. Take a soil sample before you begin trying to adjust the pH level of your soil. A soil sample will give you the best indication as to what you need to do to adjust your soil. Just dig between 4 and 8 inches to get a good sample, and then use your soil testing kit or take your soil to a garden center that offers testing services.

2. Use the results of your soil sample to determine how best to adjust the pH level. If the soil is too basic (loamy), then you'll want to add lime. If the soil is too acidic then you'll want to add sulfur.

3. Know the general proportions of either compound you should add to your soil, as well as their relative effects. For example, 4 ounces of lime will raise the pH of 1 square yard of soil by 1.0. Conversely, 5 or 6 ounces of sulfur will reduce the pH level by 1.

4. Introduce those compounds to your soil. It's important to spread it through the soil and not pile it in one spot. If you pile the compounds in one spot then it will end up having a disproportionate amount of either. Use a spreader or even just a shovel to distribute the lime or sulfur evenly.

5. Till your garden soil. Tilling the soil will help to mix the pH balancing compounds deeply into the soil to where the roots will grow.

6. Take additional soil samples throughout the growing season. Start two weeks after the introduction of pH compounds, and then again at one month and two months. This will tell you whether you need to make further adjustments to your soil or if it's just right.

Tips & Warnings

• Always be sure to carefully read the labels of any product you're going to introduce into your soil. If you use products improperly there is the possibility that you'll do more harm than good.
• Don't push your soil's pH levels below 4.0 or above 9.0. These are generally considered the lower and upper limits of soil acidity in which garden plants will grow. If you're concerned you'll push your soil too far too fast, feel free to introduce lime or sulfur in lower quantities and test the soil's reaction over time.

Resources

• Gardening resources from the National Gardening Association
• Great advice from GardenGuides.com