Soil pH

Soil pH

pH, pH scale, its interpretation & explanation in layman terms

pH defines how acidic or basic (alkaline) a soil is.

The pH SCALE

i.            Ranges from 1 to 14.  

ii.            7 is neutral (this means it is neither acidic nor alkaline)

iii.            Less than 7 is acidic. The lower the number the higher the acidity.

iv.            More than 7 is alkaline. The higher the number the greater the alkalinity.

       Most common garden plants do well in slightly acidic (little less than 7) or slightly alkaline soils (little higher than 7).

*With this understanding, you should be able to amend your soil to suit the conditions your plants (crops) will grow best in.

See examples of common materials below and their positions on the pH scale.

It would be great to learn the pH of your common household materials. This helps with creativity in gardening and can limit unnecessary expense.

Tools you can use if you want to be a bit more accurate include:

          

 Soil test kit (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium: N-P-K and pH)  

                                                                                                                      Test meter (moisture, light, pH)

                 

It is easier to increase soil pH when it is found to be too acidic. One of the best additives is limestone (white lime, lime). Dolomite is another option.

• -          White lime is sold at Tzul Tortilla factory
• -          It can also be bought in St. Margaret on the Hummingbird Highway.
• -          Dolomite is sold at Belize Minerals near Forest Home in Toledo.
• -          Wood ash works well too (it is a source of potassium). Not the same as potash.

It is more challenging, and sometimes even more expensive, to lower pH when soil is alkaline. The easy and organic ways include addition of peat moss, composted (or treated) animal manure, organic mulch, fallen leaves and kitchen waste.


*Vermicompost can be used. But I will depend on you guys to tell me how this one works. 😀


Other options include pine needles (if you have access to conifers) and coffee grounds (if you love the coffee rush).  

This list came with my soil testing kit

Additional information

If your soil is not appropriate for your choice of plant/crops, you can improvise - concentrate the nutrients (prepare your soil with the materials you have - see previous blog on soil preparation) and plant in containers (check YouTube for ideas). 

*this will require that you give more attention to the amount of water you use for watering.  You will need more. You can create your own dripping system using used soda or water bottles (check YouTube for ideas).

In these uncertain times, we need to invest our time in planting crops that will provide enough calories (that is, calorically dense crops). 

These include potatoes, squash, lentils, sweet potatoes, and corn. These do not require a lot of care.

• -         Potatoes and sweet potatoes can be planting in used tires or sacks. Simply control the running of the vine by pruning regularly.

• -          Corn, beans and squash can be grown in the same space. Plant corn before beans. Beans can run on corn for support. The squash will help to limit the growing of weeds.

Reminder on tools needed to maintain a productive garden

Rake

Shovel

Hoe

Fork

Trowel and hand fork

Watering can

Pipe hose

Strings

Scale

Spray pump

Machete

Feel free to provide comments, add pictures or share your experience. 

Write to dufsept2014@gmail.com.