Soil Advice:

Raising and lowering pH is not an exact science and most plants have a reasonably wide pH tolerance, certainly to within 1 pH point. The long list of pH preferences below indicates that while a majority of plants can survive on a pH around 6.5, some need a particularly acid or alkaline soil. Altering pH takes time. Do not expect rapid changes. Work steadily towards giving a plant its ideal conditions.

Soil Types:

Sandy Soils: A light, coarse soil comprised of crumbling and alluvial debris. Loam Soils: A medium friable soil, consisting of a blend of coarse (sand) alluvium and fine (clay) particles mixed within fairly broad limits with a little lime and humus. Clay Soils: A heavy, clinging, impermeable soil, comprised of very fine particles with little lime and humus and tending to be waterlogged in winter and very dry in summer.

Tips on Testing:

• Don‘t leave the probe in the soil longer than necessary because the metal electrodes may pit, with the possibility of damage to the meter mechanism.
• Insure that the probe is wiped clean and well dried before storing in order to minimize the oxidation of the metal electrodes.
• Be sure to keep the probe away from metal objects.
• Use the meter only in soil. Do not place the probe into water