Things You'll Need:
- Soil sample
- Trowel
- Gloves
- Plastic bag
- Test or litmus paper
- Plastic cup
- Distilled water
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Step 1
Collect the soil sample by digging two to three inches below the ground with a clean trowel.
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Step 2
Put the soil sample in a clean container. Wear the gloves and remove the debris such as stones and pieces of wood.
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Step 3
Transfer the sample to a plastic bag and start crumbling with your hands or use a rolling pin to make the soil as fine as possible.
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Step 4
Measure about one tablespoon of soil in a clean cup. Add distilled water and stir until the sample thickens. The consistency of the soil should be like that of a milkshake.
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Step 5
Let it stand for one hour. Check every 15 minutes and add water if needed.
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Step 6
Put a piece of the test paper in the sample and leave it in for about one minute.
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Step 7
Remove the test strip and rinse it with distilled water. Match the color of the test strip to the standard color chart that came with the test paper and note down the number. The number represents your soil's pH.










