Home > Projects >

How to pH Test Soil

You will need: pH Testing Kit

It is important to know the pH of your soil before you plant. Some plants prefer more acidic soil (lower pH) and some plants prefer alkaline (higher pH). Home testing kits are readily available and are easy to use.

Best time to do it:

Step 1

Take a sample of soil from 10cm below ground level in the area you wish to plant and place it, with the indicator chemical, in the testing tube.

Step 2

Add the required amount of de-ionised water to the tube to make a solution.

Step 3

Seal the top of the tube and shake the contents well for several minutes. Then stand upright and allow the mixture to settle for at least 30 minutes.

Step 4

Once the mixture has settled check the colour against the pH chart. The red end of the spectrum is acidic, green is neutral and blue to purple is alkaline.

Related FAQs

Ask a gardening question:

Latest Gardening News

Bloom and Brilliance: The 2026 Harrogate Spring Flower Show

Royal Horticultural Society shares plants for birds as feeding advice changes

STIGA secures triple victory for Robotic Innovations and Digital Experience

Rhododendrons for non-acid soils

Gardening Projects for May

---

How to: Lily Scaling

How to: New orchids from old

How to care for Camellias

How to re-pot a cactus

Latest Gardening Videos

---

How to Grow Perennial Scabius

Moving House and Taking the Garden with You | Garden Ideas | Val Bradley

How do I protect my tulips from squirrels and other pests?

Why are my pansies and violas wilting?

Potting Cacti

How can I get rid of a red ant nest in my lawn?

All Videos

Explore Gardens from Around the World

Aswan Botanical Garden
Aswan, Egypt

RHS Garden, Wisley
Woking, United Kingdom

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
Melbourne, Australia

Missouri Botanical Garden
St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Cape Town, South Africa

Dubai Miracle Garden
Dubai, United Arab Emirates