How to Garden with Acidic Soil
Acidic soil, characterized by a pH level below 7, may seem daunting for gardeners, but it's not a barrier to cultivating a thriving garden. With the right knowledge and strategies, you can transform your acidic soil into a haven for a diverse range of plants.
It's important to understand the acidity of your soil in order to plant the right plants and ensure your garden flourishes. Keep reading to find out how to know if your soil is acidic and the type of plants that will love the acidic soil.
How to Know if Your Soil is Acidic
The best way to determine how acidic your soil is, is to invest in a pH soil tester. Once you've completed the test, you'll need to know what the different pH levels mean. The below are the different pH levels:
pH 3.0-5.0
Regarded as been highly acidic. Lime would need to be added to increase PH level above 5.0
pH 5.1-6.0
Regarded as acidic. It is a perfect PH to grow acid loving plants like Heathers, Rhododendrons and Camellias. Adding lime would be required to grow other plants.
pH 6.1-7.0
An excellent pH to grow a wide range of plants, with the exception of acid loving plants.
pH 7.0
Typically if you have a reading of 7 your soil is regarded as been neutral.
pH 7.1-8.0
Regarded as an alkaline soil. This soil type is perfect for plants like Helianthemum, Sedum and Dianthus.
Adding Sulphate of Iron can help reduce the pH. It is also the best granulated feed for plants like Heather, Rhododendron, Camellia and Pieris - best feed from March until August.
Best Plants for an Acidic Soil Garden
| Plant | Type |
| Pyracantha | Climber |
| Dryopteris | Fern |
| Azalea | Shrub |
| Rhododendron | Shrub |
| Magnolia | Shrub |
| Pieris | Shrub |
| Skimmia | Shrub |
| Viburnum Tinus | Shrub |
| Heather | Shrub |
| Camellia | Shrub |
| Acer Palmatum | Tree |
| Chamaecyparis | Tree |
Ready to transform your garden? Find everything you need from compost, plant food to hand tools here.
