How to Make a Soil Tester

The alkalinity or acidity of your soil is an important characteristic that helps to determine how well plants will grow. Plants grow best when soil is neutral, in the pH range of 6.5 to 7.5. If soil is too acidic or alkaline, many plants won't thrive. Testing your soil at home is easy with a few products that many people have in their pantry.

Things You'll Need

• Garden trowel
• Measuring cup
• 2 glass jars
• Water
• Small mixing bowl
• Baking soda
• White or apple cider vinegar

Instructions

1. Dig a cupful of soil out of the surface of your garden. Place a few tablespoons of soil from this sample into each jar.

2. Dig a hole that is 3 to 4 inches deep in your garden soil. Dig out a cupful of soil and place a few tablespoons of this sample into each jar.

3. Mix the soil in the jars thoroughly. Add 1 tbsp. of water to each jar.

4. In a small mixing bowl, combine 1 tbsp. of baking soda and 2 tbsp. of water.

5. Pour the baking soda and water into one of the two jars. Observe the soil. If the mixture begins to bubble and fizz, then your soil's pH is below 7.0. The more dramatic the bubbling and fizzing, the lower the pH number is. If there is no reaction, then your soil may be neutral or alkaline.

6. Pour 1 tbsp. of vinegar in the other jar. If there is a fizzing reaction, then your soil's pH is higher than 7.0. If there is no reaction, then your soil may have a neutral pH.

Tips & Warnings

• For a more accurate test, take several soil samples and have them analyzed by an agent at your local USDA County Extension Service.

References

• ThriftyFun.com: Make Your Own Soil Testing Kit
• TheDollarStretcher.com: Natural Soil Test

Resources

• Iowa State University: Take a Good Soil Sample to Help Make Good Decisions