The Dirt On Dirt

(Page 4 of 4)

February/March 1993
 
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Acid Test

RELATED CONTENT

Old-time gardeners used to taste their soil to find out whether it was acidic or alkaline. If the soil tasted sour, it was acidic; if bitter, it was alkaline. If it tasted sweet, it was just right. You don't have to eat dirt to test your soil's pH. You can buy a pH test kit, or you can shake a tablespoon of dry soil and a tablespoon of white vinegar together in a jar small. Put the jar to your ear. If it fizzes, your soil is alkaline. If the fizzing is weak, or you hear nothing at all, clean the jar and put in another tablespoon of soil. Add a few drops of ammonia and fill the jar two-thirds full with distilled water (you can use rain water if you're sure it isn't acid rain). Set the jar aside for a couple of hours. If the water turns dark, your soil is acidic.

Sources for Natural

Fertilizers:
Earlee, Inc.
2002 Highway 62
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
812-282-9134

Erth-Rite, Inc.
RD 1 Box 243
Gap, PA 17527
717-442-4171

Mellinger's, Inc.
2310 W South Range Road
North Lima, OH 44452
800-321-7444

Necessary Trading Company
PO Box 305
New Castle, VA 24127
703-864-5103

Peaceful Valley Farm Supply
PO Box 2209
Grass Valley, CA 95945
916-272-4769

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