SOIL TESTING

Do you have a problem with plants not flourishing in your garden, regardless of how much fertiliser you give them?

You may have an issue with soil pH. Soil pH refers to how acid or alkaline your soil is, on a scale between 1 and 14. Most nutrients that are necessary for healthy plant development become unavailable (insoluble) for uptake by plants if your soil is too acidic or too alkaline. The ideal pH is between 6 and 7 (roughly neutral) for most plants.

We offer a free soil pH testing service at the nursery. Just bring in a few soil samples from different parts of your garden and we will analyse them for you. We can then advise on the best course of action for your situation. If pH is too high, adding anything acidic such as peat moss, pine needles, sawdust, sulphur or iron chelates will help. To raise pH, adding lime or wood ash will rectify the problem. Adding organic matter such as manure and compost will help to improve and neutralise the soil in either case. It is a good idea to test your soil on a regular basis, and for this purpose we also sell soil pH testing kits here at the nursery.