Floor tester – also recommended for hobby and balcony gardeners

You are an enthusiastic hobby gardener and are happy when it is green in your garden and flowers? But sometimes it is just to despair if, despite all the effort and work some vegetables or ornamental plants just do not really want to thrive. In such cases, neither the ‚green thumb‘ nor a hearty curse will help. Often the problem is hidden in the area of ​​the roots, because every plant species has its own demands on the garden soil. In this context, the pH value of the soil plays a special role. This is a value that provides information about the acidic or basic character of an aqueous solution. This value is so important for the cultivation of plants, because the various nutrients that are present in the soil or as fertilizerbe optimally absorbed only within a narrow pH range.

It is a matter of course for farmers to have their soil regularly examined thoroughly. Home gardeners, who want to know more about the nature of their garden soil, can also take a soil sample and have it examined by a specialized laboratory. Such investigations should be carried out approximately every two years and cost an average of 20 to 30 euros. You do not have to hire a specialist to determine the pH of your garden floor. You can do that on your own. Either you get a so-called quick test or you create an electronic soil tester at.

Quick test

Neudorff offers a pH soil test that only takes a few minutes. The pack contains eight tablets, a test tube with cap, and a tube of distilled water. First, a soil sample is taken in the garden. For this purpose, with the help of a spoon, several small soil samples are taken at a depth of 5 – 20 cm and then carefully mixed. Four samples are to be taken per 50 square meters to obtain a representative value. A small amount of the soil mixture is added to the test tube and then a little distilled water is added. Into the mixture, a test tablet is added and dissolved by vigorous shaking. Then you have to wait for the solid soil components to settle down in the tube. Only then can you compare the color of the above liquid with the color scale on the packaging and determine the pH value in this way.

electronic soil tester

Even easier, you can measure the pH of your garden floor, if you are looking for an electronic soil tester decide. The trade offers a whole range of soil testers from different manufacturers. Outwardly, there are small differences, but the handling and the operating principle is always very similar. The measurement electronics are hidden in a small housing Most devices have a small window that gives a view of a scale and a pointer. Two long metal electrodes protrude out of the bottom of the case. To measure the electrodes are simply inserted into the bed or in the flowerpot. The result is displayed immediately and you know the soil reaction. Some electronic soil tester In addition, they can determine the soil moisture and measure the light intensity. If you know these readings, you can intervene in a targeted manner and provide your plants with the optimum conditions. For example, you can neutralize acid soil by incorporating lime, or apply peat on alkaline soil to optimize soil fraction.