Whether our garden soil is suitable for the growth of our plants or not?
Today we will understand whether our garden soil is suitable for plants or not. Mainly, garden soil is of three types based on pH value:
:- Acidic Soil
:- Alkaline Soil
:- Neutral Soil
Acidic Soil:
Almost 90% of the plants that grow in our area require acidic soil… rose, hibiscus, pomegranate etc. That means, flowers, nuts and vegetables need acidic soil.
Sometimes, no matter how many types of nutrients we may give to the plants in our terrace garden, they do not grow at all. The reason is that our garden soil has turned into alkaline soil. When plants are in alkaline soil, their roots cannot absorb any nutrients and plant stops growing. The reason why our garden soil which has good pH levels as Acidic turns to alkaline soil can be due to bore water or municipal water that we apply to the plants. Due to these the PH levels in the soil change.
How to know if our garden soil is acidic soil or alkaline soil?
By using Soil pH Meter – accurate test
We can check the pH of the Soil by using ‘Soil pH testing meters’ which are available on E Commerce sites for sale. When we check with the PH meter –
:- If it shows 0 – 6 then it is Acidic Soil
:- If it shows 6 – 8 then it is Neutral Soil
:- If it shows 8 – 14 then it is Alkaline Soil.
By using ingredients available in home – random test
From one or two pots in the garden, take 2 to 3 spoons of soil from each pot and take two disposable glasses and put this soil in both the glasses.
Method I: By using Backing Soda (Alkaline)
In one glass, add some plain water and mix it well with the spoon. Leave it like that for a while, then the dirty water will float to the top. Add a spoon of baking soda and mix it with a spoon. After a while if few bubbles form in the water, it means the soil is Alkaline. If no bubbles form then it is Neutral Soil. If too many bubbles and froth forms, it means the soil is Acidic.
Method II: By using Vinegar (Acidic)
Pour some white vinegar in the soil in the second glass. Keep it like that for a while. After pouring vinegar in the soil and looking for a while, if little bubbles come out of the soil, it is Acidic soil. (Not like froth and bublles that come from ‘soda/thumsup/pepsi’ when we pour in a glass). If the reaction is high, it is Alkaline Soil and if there is no reaction, then it is Neutral Soil.
How to change the nature of soil from Alkaline to Acidic
Normally, garden soil automatically turns into Acidic Soil due to rain water in rainy season. That’s why plants grow well. Those who are not aware of checking or testing the pH levels of soil may,
give vermi compost and cow manure to plants once in a month. Along with that add 2 to 3 spoons of white vinegar in one liter of water and pour it to wet the soil in the plant pots once in a month.
In the absence of vinegar, mix lemon juice to one liter of water and give to the plants once in a month.
‘used tea powder’ can also be given to the plants occasionally, so that the acidic pH levels will be maintained correctly.
Courtesy
SRINIVAS CTG KHAMMAM
Translation courtesy
Sandhya ctg 11