If you are planning on planting a garden it is always good to know how to test soil pH. The reason for this is because the pH influences the availability of nutrients and microorganisms in the soil that will optimize plant growth. It also influences the way plants sustain various diseases.http://www.buzzle.com/articles/soil-testing-how-to-test-soil-ph.html

Different plants require different pH levels. Once you know the pH of your soil you can look at the plants that will grow well in that soil. You can even adjust the pH of the soil to match that of the plants you want to grow.

If you use poor soil and just start planting, plant growth can be obstructed. Poor soil can have a high clay content, drain poorly and prevent air from getting to the roots. It might also be too sandy and have difficulty holding nutrients for the plants to use. You can recognize good soil because it feels moist and loose without falling through your fingers and has rich dark color and a fresh, clean smell. Good soil has nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. You can find these in soil which pH ranges from approximately 6 to 7. http://www.planetnatural.com/site/xdpy/sgc/Soil%20Care/Soil%20pH%20&%20Test%20Kits pH can range anywhere from 1 to 14. 1 Being the most acid and 14 most alkaline.http://www.bluegrassgardens.com/soil-ph-test.htm

Testing of the pH of soil can be done at any garden center or nursery. You can also take a sample of soil and mail it to your state's soil-testing lab. For a small charge they will test the soil for you and tell you what improvements can be made to it. You can also test the soil yourself. Following you will find several ways to test the pH of soil.

To test the pH of soil it's not necessary to use a store bought kit. One way to test the pH of soil is by using vinegar. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/soil-testing-how-to-test-soil-ph.html

1. Take a container and put a scoop of soil from your garden into it.
2. Add half a cup of vinegar into the jar. If the mixture fizzes, your soil is alkaline.
3. If your mixture gives no reaction, start over, but this time add half a cup of distilled water to the scoop of soil.
4. Add some baking soda into the mixture. If it fizzes it means your soil is highly acidic.

Testing the pH of soil doesn't have to be difficult if you follow the instructions given. Depending on the method used, you will need the following items:

• Jar
• Distilled water
• Litmus Paper
• Tissue Paper
• Probe
• Vinegar
• Soil samples
• Baking soda

Another way to test the pH without using a store bought test is by using litmus paper. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/soil-testing-how-to-test-soil-ph.html

1. Take samples of soil from different areas in your garden and mix these.
2. Take a newspaper and spread the soil mixture out on it, allowing it to dry.
3. Take a jar and put half a scoop of soil in it.
4. Fill the jar with distilled water and let the mixture set till soil collects at the bottom of the jar.
5. Insert litmus paper into the water. If it turns red, your soil is acidic. If it turns blue the soil is alkaline.

Besides the home-made tests mentioned earlier, you can of course also buy a pH testing kit at your local garden center or nursery. Tests come in different varieties. There are some that test the pH, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium and some that just test the pH. http://www.heirloomseeds.com/soil.htm Always make sure to read the instructions on how to use the test on the packaging since each test is different. Some have different charts indicating results and others use color codes. One easy method to test pH is by using a store bought probe test. Following you will find instructions on how to use this testing method. http://www.wikihow.com/Test-Soil-pH

1. Dig a hole in your garden of about 3 inches deep.
2. Fill the hole with distilled water to form a muddy pool.
3. Clean the test probe with a paper tissue to make sure it is clean.
4. Place the probe in the hole and hold it there for 1 minute before reading off the results. If the results are below 7, the soil is acidic. If it's higher than 7 it is alkaline. A result of 7 means the soil is neutral.