The Tools Used to Measure PH in Soil

Extension Service

• The most accurate way to get the pH level of your soil assessed is to send a sample into your local extension service. Extension services exist as a community outreach service for gardeners and farmers to better facilitate healthy and informed gardening and agricultural activity. The pH tests are conducted by extension services for very reasonable prices. Locate your extension service for further information.

Tube Testing

• Most garden centers carry do-it-yourself pH testing kits that can be used repeatedly. These kits consist of tubes that are filled with liquids that react to the pH level of your soil by changing shades. A chart is provided with which the color of the reacting liquid can be compared to determine the pH of your soil. To use, simply put a sample of your soil into the liquid chemical and wait an hour for an accurate result. More detailed instructions are included with the testing kit. This kit cannot be used by the color blind.

Paper Strips

• Paper strips are available for testing pH levels of soil as well. These are not as accurate as other tests for a number of reasons. The pH paper strips are designed to test liquids as opposed to solids like soil. Soil can be left in a water mixture for half an hour to an hour, and then the water can be tested to get a notion of your soil's pH, but the water itself can affect the pH of the soil being tested. These paper strips also aren't designed to give precise measurements, but rather tell you simply whether your soil is acid or alkaline.

Do It Yourself

• A general notion of the pH of your soil can be ascertained in your home with the use of common household products. Place some soil in a container, and cover with vinegar. If the vinegar fizzes, you have an alkaline soil. To test for acidic soil, mix your soil with a liberal amount of water in a container -- enough to create a liquid rather than a mud medium. Add as much baking soda as you did water to the mix. if the mixture fizzes, your soil is highly acidic. If there is no reaction with either mixture, the soil is relatively neutral, which is fine for most plants.