How can I make my soil more acidic?
Question:
I have purchased some top soil which when tested has proven to be alkaline I had intended to use this soil for my vegetable plot.What vegetables if any will grow in alkaline soil or how can I improve the soil to grow vegetables and how long will it take for the soil to improve.
Answer:
As a general guideline vegetables prefer a slightly acidic soil with a pH from 6.5 to 7.0. You don’t say how alkaline your soil is but with a pH between 7.0 and 8.0 you can grow cabbage, cauliflower, celery and cucumber. However if you want to grow a wide range of potatoes you will ideally need a more acidic soil, here’s some examples:
pH of 5.0 to 5.8 – blueberry, celeriac, chicory, aubergine, potatoes, raspberry, shallot, sorrel, sweet potato, watermelon
pH of 5.5 to 6.8 – bean, Brussels sprouts, carrot, corn, garlic, pea, peppers, pumpkin, radish, squash, tomato, turnip
pH of 6.0 to 6.8 – asparagus, beetroot, bok choy, broccoli, gooseberry, grape, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, onion, rhubarb, spinach, Swiss chard
To lower the pH of your soil (i.e. to make it more acidic) you need to add a source of acid; these include pine needles, shredded leaves and sawdust. You could also try watering the plants with a solution of two tablespoons vinegar to a gallon of water repeat as needed throughout the season. Acidifying fertilizers can also be used to help raise acidity levels, take a look at the label and look for one which contains ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulphate. Be sure to read the instructions carefully to avoid burning the plants.
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