Knowing your soil pH is essential to successful gardening. Each plant is unique and will likely prefer a specific pH range for optimal growth.
Sampling and testing your soil pH are important first steps to providing your plants with the best soil possible. You can purchase a soil testing kit or a digital tester, at a local hardware store or online, that will tell you a range based on a sample you provide. Depending on the results, you may need to amend the soil to be more acidic or alkaline to better suit your plant’s needs. Acidic soil is in the pH range less than 7.0 and Alkaline soils are in the pH range higher than 8.0. Neutral soil, is between 7.0 and 8.0, and is neither acidic or basic. Acidity can be added to the soil with, sulfur powder, sulfate, or sulfuric acid. Soil can be made more alkaline with an application of lime or compost.
Common Fruit pH levels
|
Fruit |
Preferred pH Range |
Acidic or Alkaline |
|
Apple |
5.0 – 6.5 |
Acidic |
|
Banana |
5.5 – 6.5 |
Acidic |
|
Blackberry |
5.0 – 6.0 |
Acidic |
|
Blueberry |
4.0 – 6.0 |
Acidic |
|
Cherry |
6.0 – 7.0 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Grapes |
5.5 – 6.5 |
Acidic |
|
Lemon |
6.0 – 7.0 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Lime |
5.8 – 6.2 |
Acidic |
|
Melon |
6.2 – 6.8 |
Acidic |
|
Oranges |
6.0 – 7.5 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Peach |
6.0 – 7.0 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Pear |
6.0 – 7.5 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Plum |
6.0 – 8.0 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Raspberry |
5.5 – 7.0 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Strawberry |
6.0 – 7.0 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Tomato |
6.0 – 6.8 |
Acidic |
Common Vegetable pH levels
|
Vegetable |
Preferred pH Range |
Acidic or Alkaline |
|
Asparagus |
6.0 – 8.0 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Artichoke |
6.5 – 7.5 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Beans |
6.0 – 7.5 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Beets |
6.0 – 7.5 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Broccoli |
6.0 – 7.0 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Brussel Sprouts |
6.0 – 7.5 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Cabbage |
6.0 – 7.0 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Carrots |
5.5 – 7.0 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Cauliflower |
5.5 – 7.5 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Celery |
5.8 – 7.0 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Chives |
6.0 – 7.0 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Cucumber |
5.5 – 7.0 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Garlic |
5.5 – 8.0 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Kale |
6.0 – 7.5 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Lettuce |
6.0 – 7.0 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Peas |
6.0 – 7.5 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Peppers |
5.5 – 7.0 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Potato |
4.8 – 6.5 |
Acidic |
|
Pumpkin |
5.5 – 6.5 |
Acidic |
|
Radish |
6.0 – 7.0 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Spinach |
6.0 – 7.5 |
Acidic – Neutral |
|
Squash |
6.0 – 7.5 |
Acidic – Neutral |
Once you determine your soil pH and amend your soil, wait a few weeks and retest, to see if your amendments have been effective. If not, amend and retest, until the ideal pH range is reached.
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