8

I've used soil pH test kits in the past where you mix the soil with a solution and look for a color change. This works OK for dirt, but sometimes I'd like to know what the final pH of my planting mix is (a combination of mulch, compost, sand, clay). Since my planting mix is high in organic matter (wood, etc.) it doesn't really stir into a solution very well.

Is there another type of pH test that would work well for soil with high organic matter?

watkipet
  • 309
  • 1
  • 6

1 Answers1

3

Take a handful and mix it in a cup of distilled water or some other low mineral water. Stir and let it settle, then check pH of the water. Quantities are not critical. I use bromthymol blue—it is a liquid used for aquarium water. The range is 7.4 to 6.0, as I remember. I have never been a fan of the paper test strips, although I had unlimited access to all ranges through my employer.

Brōtsyorfuzthrāx
  • 18,694
  • 6
  • 30
  • 70
blacksmith37
  • 8,892
  • 1
  • 12
  • 18