July 23, 2021 CORVALLIS, Ore. – Often not considered, soil pH has as much effect on plant health as disease, insects, drought and drainage. Keeping pH in the right range for certain plants is essential, according to Weston Miller, Oregon State University Extension Service horticulturist. Plants with specific pH requirements include vegetables, blueberries and rhododendrons. Soil pH is a measurement of acidity or alkalinity and measured on a scale from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Lower numbers equal a more acidic or sour soil and higher numbers more alkaline or sweet “The key to pH is that it is going to influence the key nutrients available to plants – nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium – and other nutrients like calcium and boron,” Miller said. “When pH is in the right range, it makes it easier for the plants to uptake the nutrients they need.”
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Keeping pH in right range is essential
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Often not considered, soil pH has as much effect on plant health as disease, insects, drought and drainage.
Keeping pH in the right range for certain plants is essential, according to Weston Miller, Oregon State University Extension Service horticulturist. Plants with specific pH requirements include vegetables, blueberries and rhododendrons.
Soil pH is a measurement of acidity or alkalinity and measured on a scale from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Lower numbers equal a more acidic or sour soil and higher numbers more alkaline or sweet
“The key to pH is that it is going to influence the key nutrients available to plants – nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium – and other nutrients like calcium and boron,” Miller said. “When pH is in the right range, it makes it easier for the plants to uptake the nutrients they need.”