| Springhouse
Gardens
9156 Valley View Drive Clarks Summit, PA 18411 |
Phone:
570-585-8909 www.SpringhouseG.com |
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Why is pH important? pH extremes makes essential nutrients unavailable to plants and may cause or exacerbate diseases. Many nutrient are available for uptake by plants below pH 5.0, although their availability can be excessive and thus toxic in more acidic conditions. In more alkaline conditions they are less available, and symptoms of nutrient deficiency may result, including thin plant stems, yellowing (chlorosis) or mottling of leaves, and slow or stunted growth.To do well, the majority of plants must be grown within the pH range to which they are most suited. For example, a blueberry bush needs a pH level between 4.5 and 5.0. If more alkaline the plants will do poorly and may not produce berries. However, many other types of plants would not do well because the soil would be too acidic. A common mistake is to add fertilizer. The nutrients may already be there and adding more may make matters worse. Testing the soil A pH meter will help in determining whether the pH of soil in which your plants are growing need to be adjusted. The price of meters vary greatly from affordable to very expensive. Brands commonly sold for around $10 are suitable. There is also inexpensive test kits available that can check the pH and for nutrients.Adjusting the pH of the soil There are various ways to adjust the pH. Garden lime works quite well to raise the pH. Two materials
commonly used for lowering the soil pH are aluminum sulfate and sulfur.
Aluminum sulfate will change the soil pH instantly and is great
for keeping hydrangeas blue! For individual plants, a small amount
can be mixed with water and applied to the soil. Do not get in contact
with leaves and follow label instructions carefully. |
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