How to tell if soil is acidic or alkaline

Look at the earth color

Acidic soils are generally darker in color, mostly black-brown, while alkaline soils are mostly light colors such as white and yellow. In some saline-alkali areas, there is often a layer of white powdery alkaline substance on the soil surface.

Look at the source of soil

The humus soil generally collected from mountains and gullies is mostly dark brown in color, relatively loose, fertile, and has good permeability. It is an ideal acidic humus soil. Such as: pine needle humus soil, peat humus soil, etc.

Look at the texture

Acidic soil has a loose texture and strong air and water permeability; alkaline soil has a hard texture, easily hardens into lumps, and has poor air and water permeability.

Look at the ground plants

When collecting flower soil in the wild, you can observe the plants growing on the surface. Generally, the soil where wild rhododendrons, pine trees, and fir plants grow is mostly acidic; while the soil where tamarisks, millet, sorghum, etc. grow is mostly alkaline.

See the situation after watering

After watering, acidic soil infiltrates quickly, no white bubbles appear, and the water surface is turbid; after watering, alkaline soil infiltrates slowly, white bubbles and foam appear on the water surface, and sometimes there is a layer of white alkaline substance on the outside of the flowerpot.

By feel

Acidic soil feels "soft" when held in the hand. After letting go, the soil is easy to disperse and not easy to clump. Alkaline soil feels "hard" when held in the hand. After letting go, it is easy to clump instead of disperse.

Use the tools

Use pH test paper to measure the acidity and alkalinity of the soil. The method is: soak part of the soil sample in cold boiled water, immerse part of the test paper in the soaking liquid, then take it out, observe its color change, and then compare the test paper with the color card. If the pH value = 7, the soil is neutral; if the pH value is <7, it is acidic; if the pH value is >7, it is alkaline.