Kitchen Garden Forum

I think I perhaps actually ought to know for sure what my soil is in terms of acidity. Would anyone be able/willing to recommend a soil testing kit for me to harass the Asst. Est Mgr with?

Thanks v much

I cheat and use some pH indicator papers that I use in the course of my business.
They are the....

Whatman pH Indicator Paper
Type CF 100 strips
Cat.No. 2613991

They give a table reading of between 0 - 14 and are easy to use.
I purchased my last lot several years ago from a pharmaceutical supply company

I hope that this will help

ooooo - what a good idea!
I assume you take some soil, add a little rainwater, shake it about and dip the pH paper into it?

I think that different parts of my garden have different pH values; and I wouldn't want the Asst. Est Mgr planting an ericaceous something or other in a chalky bit.

Hi Lynne

That's exactly how I use them...I tend to mix the soil up and then syphon off a drop off the nectar using something like an eye dropper onto the strip and match up the resulting four colours to the template on the side of the box.



The reverse of the box gives the colour chart for alkaline solutions

I forgot...use distilled water... rainwater will have a pH value which can distort the reading

I have a dehumidifier in the garage, would the water from that do?

Ideal

well, there's a surprise!
my garden on the North Downs is as alkaline as it gets!
Ah well, no magnolias for me

(unless it's a stellata of course!)