How to Test the PH of Your Lawn

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 healthy lawn. Generally, soil in moist climates tends to be acidic, and in dry climates it is usually alkaline. Because the pH of the soil directly affects the quality of nutrients that the soil offers, many gardeners test the pH to identify what amendments should be added. You can buy a kit to test your lawn's pH in most nurseries or hardware stores for around $10.

Things You'll Need

• Soil sample
• pH test kit: test tube, testing solution, color chart

Instructions

1. Put the sample of your soil in the test tube.

2. Add a few drops of the testing solution.

3. Shake it well and let the mixture settle for an hour.

4. When the mixture changes color, compare the color with the color chart included in the test kit.

5. The color on the chart that most closely matches your sample is the pH level of your soil.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have a pH testing kit, you can also perform a test by scooping some soil from your garden and putting it in a container, then adding half cup of vinegar to it. If the mixture fizzes, that means your soil is alkaline. If it shows no reaction, add half a cup of water to a fresh soil sample, then mix some baking soda in it and see if the mixture fizzes. If it does, it means your soil is highly acidic. This test will not show exact levels of alkalinity or acidity.

• The degree of acidity or alkalinity of your soil can be measured only with pH meter or the color chart that comes with the test kit.

• If the soil is acidic, amend it by adding wood ash or lime.

• Alkaline soil can be amended by adding sulfur.

• While testing your soil, make sure you don't take samples immediately after fertilizing or when the soil is wet.

References

• Buzzle
• The Garden Helper

Resources

• Garden Web