How Do I Make Soil More Acidic?– A Quick Hack

Soil is one of the essential elements when it comes to gardening. The success of planting and getting a good harvest is in the type of soil you use. Soil can either be acidic, neutral, or alkaline. This characteristic can directly affect the plant's growth. Since a lot of garden plants prefer acidic soil, this article will answer the question, how do I make soil more acidic?

Why Should Soil Be More Acidic? 

We make soil more acidic because some plants thrive in acidic soil. Plants that thrive in acidic soil also aid in controlling the pH levels of the soil. The following are examples of plants that support and thrive in acidic soil.

• Azalea
  The Azalea is a flowering bush that adds a splash of color to a garden. It thrives on acidic soil.
• Hydrangeas 
  You can tell the acidity of soil from the color of the flowers of the Hydrangeas plant, which you can use as a natural gauge.
• Daffodils
  Daffodils are easy to grow and fragrant. They help provide the soil with nutrients that affect the acidity of the soil.

Potassium, Phosphorus, and Nitrogen are crucial for a plant's growth. Plants need them in large quantities. Correcting the acidity level of the soil can unlock nitrogen and soil phosphorus, which in turn can make flowers bloom better and fruits to yield more.

How Do I Make My Soil More Acidic: Things To Know

Soil pH talks about the level of acidity or alkalinity in soil. A pH level of 7 or below is considered acidic. The scale is from 1 to 14, and 7, which is in the middle, being the neutral level. Soil with a pH level of 5 is ten times more acidic than soil with a pH level of 6. 

The following is a solution to the question of how do I make soil more acidic? 

• When you use organic matter such as fertilizer, compost, green, animal manure, and leaf mold, this can influence the soil to become acidic. Because organic matter is acidic, this makes the soil more acidic when it breaks down.
• Another element that can make the soil more acidic is high-nitrogen synthetic fertilizers. It is ammonia-based, and it makes the soil more acidic when applied.
• Leaching is another process than can make the soil more acidic. It gets rid of minerals that are in the soil, such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These minerals counter the acidity of the soil. The process of leaching is done by irrigation or from a more natural form, torrential rain. 

How To Control The Acidity Of Soil

Now that we have answered the question, how do I make soil more acidic? Here are different steps to follow to control the pH levels of soil. Your garden and plants may need a certain level of soil acidity to thrive.

• Test the pH levels of soil
  Send a soil sample to your local cooperative office and have your soil analyzed. The data will include your soil's pH level, nutrient decencies, and nutrient levels. There is also do it yourself soil pH testing kits in your local gardening center. The type of weeds that are present in your garden can also help you determine whether or not your soil is acidic. It is good to study up on weeds to identify the acidity of the soil in your area.
  
• Acidifying products 
  If you have data on the pH level of your soil, and it does not reach your desired level, you can add products to lower the pH level in your soil. Examples of different products you can use are:
  • Elemental sulfur – The application of elemental sulfur is to the soil because of its highly acidifying properties. When applied to plants directly, it can kill them in an instant. When used, the bacteria in soil is converted to sulfuric acid, lowering soil pH levels.
    
    
    Do I apply Element Sulfur: Applied in the spring season, using Element Sulfur on soil that is not over non-saturated or flooded. To ensure that the sulfur applied does not become hydrogen sulfide, which is a process that is created by anaerobic bacteria. Make sure to use it a year before. This information is crucial to give the soil more time to work and ultimately lowering soil pH levels. The texture of soil has to be moist and warm for bacterial growth. Element Sulfur is one of the solutions to the question, how do I make soil more acidic.
    
• Canadian sphagnum peat moss 
  
  • Peat moss is formed from decomposing organisms in the soil, prevalent in Canada. The fibrous material is used for gardening to control pH levels. Peat moss is highly absorbent and retains water better than soil and is highly acidic.

When is Peat Moss Used: You can use peat moss as a seed starter for plants. Peat moss requires it to even distribution in the soil for about 12 inches deep before you can start putting in plants in the ground. There are different ways to mix peat moss, and it depends on your gardening method. It can be used for potting or can even work well in growing plants in a container.

• Organic Mulches  
  • Organic Mulches come from living plant material and used on soil surfaces. They act as weed barriers or to prevent soil from erosion. There are a lot of different types of organic mulches available in nature. One of them is Pine Bark, which is easily mixed into the soil to increase its pH levels. Pine Bark mixed in with soil is to make the soil less acidic.
    
    

Conclusion