Used to get a quick, general idea of whether your soil is acidic, alkaline, or neutral without test strips or meters.
Knowing your soil pH helps you make the right decisions before planting. While commercial pH meters and kits are ideal, you can still get a rough reading using just two common shelf-stable ingredients: baking soda and vinegar. This test helps identify which direction your soil leans so you can choose the correct amendment to bring it into balance.
Ingredients:
- Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
- White vinegar (5 percent)
- Clean water
- Two small bowls or cups
- Soil sample from 4 to 6 inches below the surface
How to Use It:
- Take two tablespoons of soil and place one tablespoon in each of the two containers
- Add a small amount of clean water to each container to dampen the soil
- In the first container, add a tablespoon of white vinegar
- If it fizzes, your soil is alkaline (pH likely above 7)
- In the second container, add a tablespoon of baking soda
- If it fizzes, your soil is acidic (pH likely below 6)
- If neither reacts, your soil is likely neutral, between pH 6.5 and 7.0, which is ideal for most crops
Warnings:
- This is a general test, not precise. Use proper pH test kits if available
- Test from the root zone (4 to 6 inches deep) for a more accurate sample
- Do not test freshly amended soil. Wait a few weeks after applying compost or lime
- Reactions may be mild, so observe the soil closely for any fizzing or bubbling
When to Use It:
- Before planting a new bed or garden row
- When crops show signs of poor nutrient uptake or stunted growth
- As a backup method when pH strips or meters are not available
- In preparedness or off-grid scenarios using only basic supplies