MEASURING SOIL PH

The acidity or alkalinity of a soil is its pH - pH7 is neutral, higher than this is alkaline and lower is acid. While soils can be improved, it’s very diffifficult to change the fundamental pH, so it’s far be er to choose plants that’ll thrive in what you’ve got. Local plants can be informative. Camellias and rhododendrons prefer acid soil, while clematis indicates lime. A very chalky soil will froth when added to vinegar! Otherwise, pH testing kits are cheap and available in garden centres and on the internet.