Things You Should Know When Growing Plants in Alkaline Soil

Usually in places where the climate is dry, the soil is alkaline. This means that the soil contains more lime or calcium carbonate. The problem with alkaline soil is that certain nutrients that plants require to grow like iron and zinc become unavailable.

If the soil is mildly alkaline, you have nothing to worry. However, it is when the soil is highly alkaline that poses a major problem.

pH is measured on a scale ranging from 1 to 14, where 7 is considered neutral. Anything higher than 7 is alkaline and lower is acidic. Most plants can grow in mildly alkaline or acidic soils without any problems. Even if the pH of the soil goes up to 8, you can still grow a number of plants. However, a point five increase in the pH makes it very difficult for plants to grow.

You can test the pH of your garden with an easy home testing kit. However, if you want more accurate results, you should send the soil for testing to a laboratory. If the soil is mildly alkaline, you can add well rotted compost to bring down the alkalinity so that plants can grow without any problems. In case the alkalinity is high, in the range of 8.2, it is necessary to add sulfur-based soil amendment.

When the soil has a pH of around 8.5, it means that there is a high percentage of sodium in the soil. This affects the structure of the soil and its ability to retain oxygen. You would have to take drastic measures to repair the soil or else, you will not be able to grow anything. Here you would have to flood your garden with gypsum, also known as calcium sulfate, to leach all the excess salts present in the soil. However, do not try to do this on your own. It is best to hire the services of a soil expert.

Remember you can grow vegetables in alkaline soil provided you take steps to correct the alkalinity and these measures should be taken for a long term basis. In addition, use well rotted compost instead of chemical fertilizers and flood the garden periodically with water to leach excess salts. Other than a few plants that require acidic soil, you should be able to grow any and everything.