Soil acidity greatly affects the growth and development of plants. That is why it is very important to define it before the first seedlings will be planted.
Today, for the determination of acidity of the soil, sells a variety of instruments and devices. You can buy them in any gardening store at a price of 400 rubles.
But before such devices were not and we - the gardeners, had to determine the acidity in the home. That's what I want to tell you in this article.
We determine the acidity in the home
In fact, the acidity of the soil can be determined having at hand some simple household items ordinary gardener. Moreover, in contrast to the devices, traditional methods do not "break".
Let me remind you that the acidity of the soil is measured in "special units" 0 to 14 pH. There are three main types of soil acidity (Important for farmers) - acidic, neutral and weakly acidic.
The lower the pH, the more acid is considered ground.
- acidic soil. Acidic soil is considered in the range from 0 to 6 pH.
- neutral ground. Neutral soil is considered to equal at pH 7 pH.
- slightly acidic soil. Such indicators soil has from 8 to 14 pH.
We now turn to home methods for determining the acidity of the soil.
1. Check vinegar
It is the most common method, which is used for a long time gardeners and gardeners. Its main ingredient is the ordinary vinegar, which is available to each family.
- Gaining a small handful of pure land;
- Put a plate on the ground a handful;
- Capa pipette or brush 2-4 drops of vinegar;
- We are waiting for the reaction.
If the vinegar starts to bubble and "boil" - the soil is neutral, that is good for most plants.
If vinegar is simply absorbed into the soil and no reaction occurred, then the soil is acidic.
It is important that a handful of soil was "clean" and does not contain fresh fertilizer, litter, roots, etc.
2. Check grape juice
This is a more exotic way, which presupposes the existence of natural grape juice. It would be the best juice of dark grapes.
- Pour half a glass of natural grape juice;
- Drop a small handful of the earth;
- We are waiting for the reaction.
If the juice is becoming a "soda" (There is a hiss, a lot of bubbles, foam), Which means that the tested soil is neutral. For acidic soil no reaction followed.
Personally, I always use the first method, which involves checking vinegar. First, he never gave failures (I checked with instruments, measuring instruments). Second, I have always in stock and vinegar do not have to buy.
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