How to Lower Soil Acid

Soil's acidity influences plant health. With too much or too little acidity, garden plants suffer. Overly acidic soil causes many plants to lock in nutrients rather than absorb them for growth and development. A pinch of baking soda tells you if the garden soil is too acidic. If baking soda fizzles in the soil, the soil is likely too acidic for your plants, according to "1,001 Hints and Tips for Your Garden." The baking soda test is a rough measure of acidity, and some plants prefer high acid content, but in most gardens fizzling baking soda is a bad sign. If the baking soda causes this reaction, perform a proper pH test.

Things You'll Need

• Dolomitic limestone
• Baking soda or pH testing kit
• Rototiller or hoe

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Spread 2.5 pounds of dolomitic limestone across every 100 square feet of your garden. This type of crushed limestone is alkaline, and it lowers your garden's acid levels. You can spread up to 10 pounds of limestone on your garden per 100 square feet, but it's best to start with a low quantity first to see if it is enough to correct the problem.

   • 2

     Till the limestone into the first 6 inches of soil.

   • 3

     Test the soil again after six months using a pH testing kit. The dolomitic limestone does not raise pH levels immediately. Most plants prefer a pH between 6.0 and 6.5.

   • 4

     Repeat Steps 1 and 2 as needed until the soil acidity is lowered to acceptable levels.