If you want your plants or seeds to be able to draw what they need from the soil, there needs to be a neutral pH in the soil (or as close to it as you can get). The best soil pH for most cultivated plants is roughly between 6.5 and 7.3. Most od the nutrients critical froplant health are available in this range. the Rapitest Soil Check will tel you just where your soil is on the pH meter, enabling you to know what your soil may need to correct and unbalance.
How pH affects your plants.
Soil pH can be alakaline, neutral, or acidic, and this is known by testing it with a meter or litmus paper. A meter is the quickest way to find out where your soil is on the pH scale. There are a few plants actually like a slightly more acidic or alkaline soil, like Evergreen trees and strawberries. Almost all plants will prosper in a soil that is more in the neutral zone, which is between 6.5 and 7.3 on the scale. if the pH balance is not in the neutral zone, your plants will not be able to take up the nutrients they need to be healthy. you may notice an unbalanced soil pH evident in yellowed leaves due to an iron deficiency. This does not mean there is no iron in the soil, but rather that the plant cannot take up the iron because of an unbalance soil pH. Knowing your soil pH is important to knowing how to correct an unbalance.
HOW TO CHECK YOUR SOIL
Take a sample of soil from about 4" below the surface. Remove cap from tube. Remove capsule. Fill the tube with soil to the first line. carfully open capsule and pour powder into tube. Add water (preferably bottled) to the fourth line. Cap and shake tube thoroughly. Allow soil to settle. Compare color of solution to the pH color chart.
HOW TO ALTER pH
Alteringt pH does take time, so do not expect too rapid a change. Rather, work steadily towards giving the plant the ideal conditions. After adding lime or sulpur to your soil, retest for pH level in 30 days.
