A soil pH meter can quickly and accurately provide the soil pH of your yard or garden. Designed like an "instant read" thermometer, a soil pH meter is typically a battery-operated, hand held device. It uses a metal probe to detect the soil pH, displaying the information on a digital readout.
Soil pH, a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of your garden soil, is important to the health of your plants. Healthy soil requires a neutral pH (in the 5 to 8 range). Neutral soil pH allows nutrients to be easily transported to plant roots and creates a fertile environment for beneficial bacteria.
Things To Look For
Sensor type. The sensor of a soil pH meter is subject to wear. A replaceable sensor means that a worn or broken sensor will not require replacing the entire unit.
Storage method. Soil ph meters can require one of two types of storage: dry or wet. A wet storage soil pH meter requires that you periodically add water to the sensor cap. A dry storage soil pH meter has lower maintenance requirements.
Calibration type. Soil pH meters need to be calibrated on a regular basis. While some meters require manual calibration (usually by adjusting a small screw), other meters offer push button calibration. Push button calibration is simpler and can be as accurate as manual calibration.
Electrode type. The electrode used in the soil pH meter's sensor can be made of glass or plastic polymer. A glass electrode is fragile, but can it can give readings that are more accurate in low pH situations.
Accuracy. Soil pH meters feature different levels of accuracy. Low cost meters may only provide 0.2 to 0.5 pH accuracy. As pH is measured on a logarithmic scale, higher accuracy levels are desirable. Look for a soil pH meter that provides at least 0.1 pH accuracy.
Soil pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline your soil is. The number you get when you test your soil's pH can tell you whether your plants are likely to thrive in your garden spot or not. Luckily, if the answer is no, there are ways to change your soil's pH and make your garden into a more hospitable environment for your vegetables, flowers and lawn. |
 | Plants make their own food, but they sometimes need a helping had from fertilizer. By conducting a soil test and knowing how to read a fertilizer bag, you'll be able to make choices that benefit your plants instead of harming them. |
 | The types of soil in your garden are a key element in whether it succeeds or fails. |
 | |&&|Sandy soil quickly loses water and nutrients. Learn which plants will thrive in these challenging conditions. |
In order to grow successfully, your plants need good soil. This includes the right drainage, pH balance, and conditions. Without good soil, valuable time and investment will probably be lost. Since most soils need some amount of improvement, here are some things you can do to help them along. |
