Alkaline soil

Hi there

I have recently carried out a PH test on my soil and found it to be very Alkaline. I understand this is not great for common garden plants, however I have found that everything I have planted thus far has taken well.

Please could someone explain the implications of alkaline soil, and advise how it might be impoved to suit more species of plants.

********Note - i used tap water when doing the PH test, I've just read on another web site that this could sway the results? - although it didn't say not to use tap water on the packaging)*********

Any advice would be fantastic!

Many thanks

Rich

 

Rich, you used tap water to do what exactly?

 

Hi David, I used tap water to add to the Tenax soil check kit, where you break open the contents of a capsule in to a tube and add some soil and water. The kit comes with a chart to which you compare the colour of the water once the soil has settled.

Regards

Rich

 

I would test the pH of the tap water by itself. I wouldn't expect it to be very far from neutral. If it is I would defrost the fridge and use the water from the ice around the freezer. Thats as close to distilled water as you can easily get, without paying for it.

pH7 is neutral chemically speaking. But pH6.5 I think is generally regarded as neutral in a garden. If you really are way above that, my feeling is that you can't do much. In theory I am sure there are ways, but really you are fighting the elements. There is an awful lot of soil.

My inclination would be to go with the soil and grow plants that enjoy a high pH. You can always grow other things in a pot.

Do test different parts of the garden to make sure you are not getting a rogue result. Also look at other people's gardens and see what does well there.