Содержание
pH value
This value provides information about whether the soil is acidic, alkaline or neutral. Acosite soil has a pH value below 7, alkaline – above 7, and neutral soil has a pH value of 7.
To ensure the right growth of plants, a number of peculiarities must be respected. Among the most basic is the determination of the acidity of the soil and the requirements associated with it.
Additional information! This is a dimensional number that characterizes the acidity of soil, water, or other medium. They can have different values ??from 0 to 14, and the number 7 refers to a neutral environment. To do this, there are sets for testing that provide fast and reliable information.
The determination of the acidity of the substrate will not only help ensure better protection of plants from various diseases, but can directly affect the fertility of certain cultures.
The pH level of the soil affects cultural plants in several ways. The soil acidity primarily affects the solubility of the necessary minerals in the soil and the ability of plants to extract these nutrients from the soil. This means that, despite the sufficient amount of nutrients in the soil, they may not be available with a plant with improper soil.
The pH is also important for the lives of soil bacteria and animals, as well as for the structure of the soil itself. Together, these factors affect how plants will flourish, and how they will be resistant to diseases and pests.
How to find out the pion of soil at home? How to measure pH soil
The most accurate measurement of the acidity of the substrate is carried out by professionals using the electronic measuring instrument of the PH meter.
Definition of soil acidity
Houses are not all of us there is such an opportunity to easily use the pH meter. You can test the test, the accuracy of which is not quite such as the values ??of the professional PH meter, but quite enough for the needs of homemade.
To determine the acidity of the soil can be one of several people’s ways:
- Place the tank in the tank, pour a slightly acetic essence or 9% vinegar. The appearance of foam means low or neutral acidity. Abundant foam means alkaline soil if there are few foam – neutral, and if the reaction did not happen – the soil is acidic.
- Several currant leaves are placed in a glass jar, pour boiling water and add a handful of soil. Redness of the liquid is a sign that acidity is increased.
- in a container with transparent grape juice, a little soil poured. Changing the color and appearance of bubbles indicates that acidity is normal.
But the most reliable method will be the measurement produced using a lactium paper, which will determine the pH of the soil with high accuracy.
Sample soil, which want to explore, is placed in a glass, pour distilled water in a 1: 1 ratio and closed it.
Using an indicator paper designed to measure the pH. (You can buy in pharmacies) easily and quickly determine the state of the soil. A day or two lowered paper into water with a sample and determine the resulting value on the indicator paper according to the table on the package.
Lacmus indicator paper for measuring pH is one of the most practical. The color of the paper changes within a few seconds, and this color shade – from red (sour), yellow and green (neutral), blue (alkaline) signals the pH of the soil studied. Distilled water is used for testing, because its pH is neutral (7), while tap water is smaller and can affect the measurement.
Decrease in soil acidity
Reduce the acidity of the substrate is an important part of growing many plants. You can use several ways, for example, lime.
However, you can improve the quality of lower-quality or unsuitable soils using simple means. Useful to use compost. Calcium content sand improves the soil.
Notice! Silica sand does not contain calcium and therefore is non-ideal.
The decrease in soil acidity is not a one-time, but a regular process, since the pH range changes regularly. Due to the decrease in the acidity of the soil retains resistance to fungi, bacteria and parasites that attack plants due to unstable power in the soil.
Soil Types
When choosing garden plants, it is important to identify them not only the place in the sun, in a half or shadow, but also by the type of soil. At the gardeners, correctly determined the type of soil – healthy plants, fewer weeds and more joy from the garden.
The perfect substrate in the garden is a rich in humus, nutritious and permeable. It fixes the roots, accumulates water and nutrients and gradually releases them so that the plants can absorb them. Why is it important to know the pH. Sour soils usually contain a lot of humus, but almost there is no calcium, alkaline is very lime.
Fertile land
Important! Soil consists of mineral particles, such as sand, clay, as well as humus, that is, the decomposed organic matter. The higher the share of humus, the better its structure, the ability to collect water and stock nutrients. Without healthier soils, it is impossible to produce enough harvest.
The pH level depends mainly on the composition of the soil (clay, sand, limestone and other natural components), as well as on how we manage the soil. Its acidity can be increased over time with fertilizers (especially synthetic), or by making green plants or mulch.
How to adjust the pH of the soil. How to raise pH soil?
Acidness can be increased or reduced as needed, (depending on plant types) that we want to grow in the garden. In the case of acidic soils, you can increase the pH by adding lime (crushed limestone) wood ashes, chalk, dolomite flour with a peopling in spring and autumn.
Alkaline soil is also not very suitable for most plants. It has a lot of lime, but few nutrients and trace elements. If there is too alkaline land and it is necessary to reduce its pH, it is possible by adding peat, fresh organic substances (mulch, fertilizer).
To recover the soil on the pH after processing, it is necessary to wait until individual components do not neutralize each other (about 3 months) to obtain accurate data.
What plants like acidic or alkaline soil?
What pH of the soil is suitable for each type of plants? Plants on flowerbeds, weeds give information about what land in the garden.
Plants indicators
Different types of plants are adapted to different soils in which they can flourish. The perfect pH ranges from 6 to 7, neutral or weakly acid soil with pH 6-7 is suitable for most useful and decorative plants, and therefore these pH values ??are considered ideal.
Strawberries has a wide range of admissible pH (5.0-7.5) values, so they are thrive both in acid and alkaline soils, while blueberries usually flourishes only in a narrow pH range (4.5-5.0 ).
The most famous oxygen plants that prefer lower pH, 4 5: blueberries, cranberries, rhododendrons, heather, hydrangea (blue flowers).
Plants that prefer the soil with pH 5- 6: potatoes, blackberry, eggplant, melon, basil, apple tree.
Plants that, in addition to the weakness and neutral soil, are well transferred to alkaline soil to pH 8:
- bean plants (beans, peas, clover, vika,)
- Vegetables: asparagus, beets, cabbage, cabbage, leek, spinach, garlic, corn, cauliflower, tomatoes.
- Grass: Mayran, Lavender, Staircase, Sage;
- Decorative plants: host, lily, lomonos, chrysanthemum, zinnia, several decorative herbs, ivy)
- Wood plants: Thuja, cypress, hibiscus, beech, ash, chestnut, cherry, sakura.
Based on the soil analysis, you can get a clear idea of ??its properties in the garden. Analysis should be repeated every three or five years.
