
Soil pH
Soil pH measures how acidic or alkaline the soil is, on a scale from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, meaning neither acid nor alkaline. Below 7 indicates acidity, while above 7 indicates alkalinity. Soil pH affects nutrient availability to plants; most prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 6.0 to 7.0). If soil is too acidic or alkaline, plants may struggle to get essential nutrients, affecting growth. Testing soil pH helps determine if adjustments, like adding lime or sulfur, are needed to create optimal growing conditions.