How to measure PH in soil?

[Leapfrog]

Should I get one of those cheap meters from Walmart, Lowe's etc.?

Or what do you suggest?

Thanks!

[b14z3d]

electronic meter is the best. remember, u get what you pay for.

[Leapfrog]

Originally Posted by b14z3d

electronic meter is the best. remember, u get what you pay for.

OK which one should I look for then?

Something like the one below?

$25

[JC12]

I have that exact same meter shown in the last pic.

No real judgement on it, but I left it in the rain for a day (I was at work) and it broke. Not sure wether it still works but from the looks of it it doesn't look like it will.

You be the judge on that one.

-JC

[cantharis]

I bought one of those cheap ones, used it once, it told me the pH of my water was 7 - either that or it didn´t move at all.

But I am a heretic - I never bother with pH now.

[Leapfrog]

OK guys thanks for getting back to me!

Now we have both type of meters I pictured covered.

One drowned and the other one was suffering from depression..


Anybody got a suggestion which ones may not have any negative symptoms?

[Leapfrog]

So which PH meter do you recommend?

[greenmeany]

i think you can use litmus paper or litmus strips. you can put a sample of soil in water, swirl the water around for a few moments. wait for the dirt to settle to the bottom and the water is clear, then put paper or strip in. that should work but the ph of your water may vary. id look it up online for your area. if you growing even mildly close to pine trees your soil is very acidic and could use some lime and also some would ashes would bring up the ph and also provide K for your budding plants.

[cantharis]

Originally Posted by greenmeany

i think you can use litmus paper or litmus strips. you can put a sample of soil in water, swirl the water around for a few moments.

I am afraid that method will give a false reading. When you measure the pH of soil you are actually measuring the pH of the moisture held in the soil. pH is defined solely for aqueous solutions and is related to the concentration of hydrogen ions. Dust dry soil does not have water so does not have a pH.

Supposing your soil contains some moisture that has a pH of 6 - and you now mix that with a larger volume of pure water that has a pH of 7. The resulting mix will have a pH between 6 and 7, but probably much closer to 7. So a false reading results. The only accurate way is to measure the pH of soil direct. Good luck with your meters.