Why soil pH is so important; even in backyards
Soil, water, and sunlight are three basic needs for farming. Water must be available for crops to soak up and hydrate them, while sunlight is needed for photosynthesis. If sunlight is not getting to a crop, the crop will not yield as much as it could have. The same goes for soil. If the soil’s pH is too high or too low, crops will not yield nearly as much as they could with a pH of 7.0. If a soil has a pH of 7.0 +/-1.0 that means that soil is 10 times more acidic or basic. The relationship is exponential.
Simple soil tests reveal a soil’s pH level. If a soil has a pH too high, the soil probably has drainage issues. The most effective fix is to tile the field. Tile is a perforated tubing system that is buried under the soil so excess water can be drained from a field very efficiently.
If a soil has too low of a pH, chances are the field has a compaction or nitrogen issues. Compaction occurs when a field has too much weight on top of it, like heavy machinery. Compaction causes plant root systems to run very shallow because roots cannot break through the compaction layer. Roots emit acids during growth and those acids are then stuck in the top portion of the soil above the compaction layer, thus making the soil more acidic.
To solve compaction problems, the layer of soil needs to be broken up and that is done by deep tillage. Another easy solution for a field that has a low pH level is to add lime. Lime will safely raise the pH level of the field.
A soil pH level close to 7.0 will increase any crops productivity, including grass. Yards should have their pH levels tested as well. That way, homeowners could solve their thin grass problems long term, instead of applying a lot of fertilizer each year.
- Colvin
Simple soil tests reveal a soil’s pH level. If a soil has a pH too high, the soil probably has drainage issues. The most effective fix is to tile the field. Tile is a perforated tubing system that is buried under the soil so excess water can be drained from a field very efficiently.
If a soil has too low of a pH, chances are the field has a compaction or nitrogen issues. Compaction occurs when a field has too much weight on top of it, like heavy machinery. Compaction causes plant root systems to run very shallow because roots cannot break through the compaction layer. Roots emit acids during growth and those acids are then stuck in the top portion of the soil above the compaction layer, thus making the soil more acidic.
To solve compaction problems, the layer of soil needs to be broken up and that is done by deep tillage. Another easy solution for a field that has a low pH level is to add lime. Lime will safely raise the pH level of the field.
A soil pH level close to 7.0 will increase any crops productivity, including grass. Yards should have their pH levels tested as well. That way, homeowners could solve their thin grass problems long term, instead of applying a lot of fertilizer each year.
- Colvin
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