Improving the Soil and PH Levels - Please Explain!

I'm not sure I understand the soil with regards to acidic/lime etc.   This is all new to us, very exciting and great to have your support and products to help along the way - looking forward to the 2009 catalogue.  

Will keep you posted on our progress and of course seek you advice as and when.

Steve

Many thanks for your appreciation of our efforts! It certainly sounds like you’re embracing the ‘grow your own’ concept with both arms and I’m only too glad to help you with any future queries you may have. I can also try and feature any gardening problems you’ve hit upon, or good growing tips you’ve discovered, in one of our updates or even on our Garden Forum.  

Here’s a simple (I hope!) explanation to soil ph. Basically, the ph level of a soil reveals if the soil is acidic, neutral or alkaline. The ph scale runs from 1.0 (acid) to 14.0 (alkaline) and as it’s very easy to get bogged down in the technical side of soil ph, it’s best to remember that most vegetables thrive on a soil which has a ph rating of neutral (ph 7 is chemically correct, but for gardening purposes 6.5 is considered neutral) or slightly acid. If you test your soil and find the readings show your soil is too acidic, you can add garden lime (available from all good garden centres) to bring the level up; alternatively, if the test reveals the ph is high and therefore the soil is too alkaline, you’ll need to add sulphur or plenty of fertiliser. It’s much rarer that a soil is too alkaline to grow vegetables however.      

One simple gardening creed you should remember is that incorporating organic matter into your soil (organic matter is basically compost) is always beneficial, and will greatly improve the soil structure, drainage and ability to retain nutrients.  

I hope this helps!    

Martin