quick ph question..

[Dyannas son]

i have a quick question to ask,i just got my ph tester and was wondering what the ideal ph level should be for outdoors?
and i was also wondering about how you change it to the ideal level with stuff around the house''if there are any''..thanks

 

[bombbudpuffa]

I'm not 100% sure but I don't think you adjust ph outside. I never have anyway. You could add lime to the soil before planting but I really don't think it's that important outside. Could depend on where you live too, I guess.

 

[omentheduck]

i had to lime my soil cause their are a bunch of pines around here, use either hydrated lime ( wht i use ) or reg. lime you choose, others use reg. lime

 

[Hick]

hey bomb'...ph is essential..."wherever" you grow, hydro, soiless or outdoors in the dirt. The .."optimal" range varies somewhat, but is still vital for nutrient uptake.

O'theduck has taken the proper step to eliminate ph issues..."LIME"...
"Hydrated" (calcium carbonate) lime works quicker than "dolomite lime (magnesium calcium carbonate)", but contains less magnesium(also desirable), is caustic(disagreeable to handle) and "may contain" varying degrees of mg.
c/p
A good way to stabilize soil is to use dolomite lime (calcium-magnesium carbonate). Dolomitic lime acts slowly and continuously, so soil will remain pH stable for a few months.

Using fine size dolomite lime is important, coarser grades can take a year or longer to work. You can find fine size dolomite lime at any well stocked garden supply center.

Dolomite lime has been used by gardeners as a pH stabilizer for many years. It has a pH that is neutral (7.0). When added to soil in the correct proportions, it will stabilize soil at a pH near 7.0.

When growing in containers, add one cup of fine dolomite lime to each cubic foot of soil. Mix the dry soil thoroughly with the dolomite lime, then lightly water it. After watering, re-mix it and wait for a day or two before checking the pH. When growing in an outdoor garden, follow the dolomite lime manufacturers instructions.

Lowering soil pH: small amounts of composted leaves, cottonseed meal, or peat moss will lower the pH of soil.

Raising soil pH: small amounts of hardwood ashes or crushed oyster/egg shells will help to raise the soil pH. Hydrated lime can also be used to raise the pH of soil. In containers, use no more than 1/8 cup of hydrated lime per cubic foot of soil (per application). Mix it into warm water, then apply the water to the soil. When growing in an outdoor garden, follow the manufacturers instructions.

Wait at least a day or two before checking the pH level of soil after attempting to raise, lower or stabilize it. If adjustments still have to be made, use small amounts of whatever material you are using. Don't try to adjust the pH more than 0.1 every two days.
end c/p