Gardens with Extreme Soil pH

Some lucky gardeners are blessed with deep, friable, fertile soil. They are fortunate enough to have inherited soil with a loose, crumbly texture that makes it easy for plant roots to stretch out in all directions, absorbing all of the moisture and nutrients they need. But most gardens have more humble beginnings. But be assured that no matter what kind of soil you have, you can choose a number of garden-worthy plants that will thrive there, and no matter what sort of soil you have at the outset, simply improving it by incorporating organic matter sets the stage for a successful garden.

Don't let yourself be intimidated by the scientific aspects of soil improvement; it's really quite simple. The most important thing you need to know is your soil's level of acidity or alkalinity, which is called its pH value, and the value is measured on a pH scale that runs from 0 to 14, with 7.0 representing neutral soil. Most garden plants thrive in neutral to nearly neutral soil. Strongly acid soils have a low pH, with ratings on the pH scale usually between 4.0 and 6.0. The pH ratings for alkaline soils are higher than neutral, usually ranging between 7.5 and 8.0. In general, soils in high rainfall-areas tend to be acidic, whereas arid regions often have alkaline soil.

If the pH is too far one way or another on the scale, plants are unable to absorb essential nutrients, even if those nutrients are in the soil. So, if you notice yellowing leaves or pale leaves with darker green veins or other signs of poor growth or nutrition, consider using a soil pH test, either an over-the-counter kit, or send soil samples to a local agricultural college to test (check your telephone book's yellow pages under "laboratories" or soil testing). But don't despair if your soil's pH is extreme. Even in extreme soil, a beautiful, care-free garden is within the realm of possibility. In other areas of your landscape where you don't want to invest the time and labor to alter your soil's pH so that you can grow plants that are not adapted to your soil, simply choose from among the no-fuss plants we describe in this chapter, which are adapted to grow in your garden's unique soil conditions.