A lot of people will talk about pH without really being sure why it is important. In fact, in many ways it is the most important part of a successful growing equation.

The easiest way to understand pH is to say it is the measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. It is based on a scale of 0 to 14 with 7 being neutral, 0-7 being acidic and 7-14 alkaline. The more below or above 7, the more acidic or alkaline in mulitplies of 10 – (so a pH of “6” is ten times more acidic than 7, and a “5” is 100 times more).

So why is pH so important? Several reasons. All plants have a favorite pH. At this ideal pH they are “happiest” and most efficient in utilizing needed nutrients. The farther away (up or down) from this ideal pH, the better chance it won’t do as great. Also, they can’t process fertilizers as well. So we give our plants a good quality nutritional package and because the pH is out of whack it may only be able to use 70% or a much lower amount of it. A waste of both nutrients and money.

How can we determine the pH and correct it if needed? Now you can buy a pH test kit, but I believe they are not really all that good as they only give a general reading and no solution to achieve the desired pH. For $11 and some postage, you can send a sample to the Penn State Lab and let their experts analyze it and give the steps needed to correct any deficiencies. As an added bonus, the Herbein’s Garden Center’s experienced staff is always here to further explain the results and to have the products to make your plants perform at their peak.

Trivia Answer: Where there’s a willow…there’s a way