There are two simple ways to test this, even in soils where plants have been planted.
Using vinegar and baking soda test, take two parts of the same soil and put them into the cup, add vinegar and baking soda respectively, and observe whether the soil hisses. If the soil is alkaline with vinegar, it is acidic with baking soda.
The cost is relatively high, and you can buy a home test for pH. Just test according to the instructions.
This step is different from the determination of soil pH, but it is a very important step. The soil type will determine the soil acidification method you should use.
This can be distinguished by eyes. For the soil with good drainage and loose soil, the acidification process will be much simpler, because there are a lot of organic matters in the soil, which can be used for decomposition during the acidification process.
The soil is relatively viscous, compact and difficult to acidify. In the process of acidification, it is necessary to increase the organic matter in the soil, but sometimes it will increase rather than decrease the alkalinity.
To acidify such soils, organic matter is the best choice. The decomposition of organic matter makes the soil acidified, but it needs a lot of use to reduce the acid-base value. Here are some good organic materials for you to consider: peat moss, oak leaves for composting, compost and manure.
Mixing organic matter into high-density soils can make the situation worse because the soil will retain more water and thus increase its alkalinity. Therefore, the safest way is to use elemental sulfur or ferric sulfate to improve the soil acidity with high clay content.
Before planting, sulfur is added to the soil, the deeper the soil, the better.
The use of fertilizer containing ammonia, in the application of base fertilizer when the emphasis on adding ammonia, is conducive to soil acidification.
Plants have been planted in the soil. When acidified, the growth of plants should be fully considered. The simplest way is to supplement sulfur element. The most commonly used is ferrous sulfate, which can be directly sprinkled in the flowerpot. It can not only increase the fertility of the soil, but also acidify the soil, achieving two goals with one stone.
It should be noted here that you should not add vinegar to the flowerpot casually. Although vinegar can change the acidity and alkalinity of the soil in a short time, it will kill the organisms in the soil because the change is too radical, unless you don't mind the plants dying.
