Because pH values can change for various reasons, it is important to act at the latest when developmental disorders are detected. The following are the best tips for measuring and regulating.
Tips for measuring pH values
Test kit
Test kits for measuring the pH value in the soil are available from specialist retailers. A soil sample must be taken and filled with distilled water. A test strip is then held in, which causes color changes due to the pH value, which, depending on the intensity, allow the approximate value to be read off. Since the exact application depends on the respective product, the product description must be read before use. But in any case, for an exact result, soil should be taken from different places, moistened and kneaded vigorously.
Baking Soda Vinegar Test
A test using baking soda and vinegar cannot measure pH values exactly. They do, however, provide information about whether the soil quality is in the alkaline or acidic range. In addition to baking powder and vinegar, distilled water and two glasses / mugs are required. That is how it goes:
- Pour a mixture of baking powder and distilled water over the soil sample into a container (one teaspoon of baking powder to 100 milliliters of water)
- Fill another container with soil sample and cover completely with vinegar
- Result: baking powder container hisses - sour earth
- Result: The vinegar container foams - alkaline earth
NOTE: PH values below 6.9 are considered acidic and pH values above 7.1 are considered alkaline. Values around 7.0 are referred to as neutral.
Red cabbage test
A working home remedy for
The red cabbage test is used to determine the pH values of the soil. As with the baking powder-vinegar test, only the pH range can be determined. This is how it is done correctly:- Bring the distilled water to the boil briefly
- Chop up fresh red cabbage and place in a water bath
- Let it steep for a few hours
- Sieve out the red cabbage and collect the stock
- Completely cover about two tablespoons of a soil sample with the brew
- The brew changes color in a few minutes
- Result: pink-sour, purple - neutral, blue, green or blue-green - alkaline
Lowering pH values
If the pH value in the soil is too high and a more acidic environment is required, various methods are suitable for lowering the pH value: chemical products, organic products and household remedies:
peat
Peat is known for its pH-lowering properties. However, the use of peat is not considered to be environmentally friendly and climate-protecting, because the mining drains entire bog areas, which leads to the destruction of the ecosystem. For this reason, peat should not be used.
Oak leaves
The leaves of the oak have a strongly acidic environment. As soon as it decomposes, acid begins to be released. Garden owners can take advantage of this to lower the pH value in two ways and apply accordingly:
- Let it rot as compost with subsequent fertilization
- Lay oak leaves five centimeters high directly on the top layer of soil (mulch) - can also be enriched with pine needles
- Always start carefully, as it has a strong effect on soil pH (to avoid over-acidification)
TIP: If you don't have oak trees in your own garden, you can use bags to collect oak leaves, especially in autumn in parks and public gardens.
Conifer earth
Conifers give off noticeable acid to the soil of their location. To get the soil more acidic elsewhere in the garden, simply swap soil from conifers with the soil that is too alkaline. In order to achieve optimal pH values, a regular measurement should be carried out and then a decision should be made as to whether more conifer soil is necessary for lowering.
grapes
Acidic properties are also brought about by expressed grapes or, better, grape marc, as they are left over after winemaking. The "active ingredients" are grape acid and fermentation substances, which are well tolerated by all important microorganisms in the soil. If you don't want to make your own grape marc, you can get it from winemakers in various regions of Germany.
Home remedies: coffee grounds
Coffee grounds are an environmentally friendly and inexpensive way to lower the pH. Coffee contains chlorogenic acid, which mainly ends up in the coffee cup when it is brewed, but also remains in the coffee grounds. This ensures the pH-lowering influence in soils. Coffee grounds also have a preventive effect against pests.
It should be used as follows:
- Collect the coffee grounds and let them dry well (never use wet, as there is a risk of mold formation)
- Mix with nitrogen fertilizer to lower the pH value before use (increases the effect)
- Fold the dried coffee grounds into the soil
- Measure / check soil value once a week and add coffee grounds if necessary until the desired value is reached
Iron sulfate
Iron sulphate forms acids in the earth relatively quickly to lower the soil values. Iron sulphate is particularly suitable for heavily compacted loamy soil due to the rapid formation of acids. An immense reduction in the pH value can be achieved within two weeks. But be careful when handling it: iron sulphate causes rust stains on textiles as well as on path and terrace slabs, which are difficult or impossible to get rid of. 500 grams of iron sulfate per square meter is recommended for one point lowering.
Aluminum sulfate
Similar to iron sulphate, the lowering of the pH value also works with aluminum sulphate, which also forms acid in the earth, but shows its effect even faster. Aluminum sulphate is ideal for administration when plants have already suffered serious damage due to a too low acid value. "First aid" can be provided with aluminum sulphate and the life of some plants can be saved. For one
rapid action on the floor and a one-point lowering, a dose of 0.54 grams for three square meters of floor is recommended.sulfur
More slowly, sulfur has a lowering effect on soil values. It is well suited for use in heavily compacted and heavy soils and is characterized by a longer duration of action. For this reason, it is mainly used for soil preparation when a low Potentia Hydrogenii value is required for the planned planting. It is ideal if sulfur is incorporated in autumn so that the soil has ideal acid values when planting in spring.
Rainwater
Rainwater is usually free of lime and thus promotes the lowering of soil acidity. Since not infinitely much can be poured, this method is only suitable for support. During the summer months, when drought causes a higher need for water / irrigation, a lot can be done However, rainwater can still slightly lower the acid value without another method being used at the same time got to. Measuring the pH value provides information on whether or not watering with rainwater is sufficient.
Increase pH
Just like a pH value that is too high, too low a pH value can damage plants and impair their development. In order to increase the acid value in the soil, you should first and foremost avoid everything that was previously mentioned under "lowering the pH value". The following methods and agents are also suitable for increasing the pH value:
Potassium hydroxide
In combination with oxygen, potassium hydroxide turns into a potassium hydroxide solution. This has a strong alkaline effect and can therefore be used optimally to balance out a pH value that is too low. But be careful, because the water generates heat, the compound can splash out of the container and cause caustic effects on the skin.
lime
Lime fertilization is the best way to increase the acidity of the soil. On sandy soil, around 250 grams per square meter are needed to raise the Potentia Hydrogenii value by a whole point. In heavy clay soils, around 350 grams to twice the amount are recommended.
Chemical finished product
So-called pH plus preparations are available from specialist retailers. Depending on the product, there is a different dosage, which is why the instructions for use should always be read before use. This method is usually the fastest way to increase the pH, but not always the most environmentally friendly. A finished chemical product should therefore only be used if there is a need for action and action quickly due to life-threatening damage to the plants.