What plants can tell about the acidity of the soil on the site, or How experienced gardeners do without litmus paper
Only experienced gardeners and vegetable growers are able to characterize the acid-base balance of the soil without resorting to special devices.
According to the expert of the online publication Belnovosti, scientist-agronomist, landscape designer Anastasia Kovrizhnykh , ordinary weeds come to the rescue in this difficult task.
So, if you notice that sorrel, horsetail, fireweed, plantain, and also field mint feel comfortable in the area, this means that the pH is not higher than 5, that is, the soil is acidic.
Indicators of slightly acidic soil are field bindweed, chamomile and quinoa.
This means that the pH of the beds is between 5 and 6.6.
In turn, cornflower, coltsfoot, garden bodryak, field radish, nettle, quinoa and red clover indicate that the soil is neutral and has a pH of 6.6-7.2.
Finally, signs of alkaline soil, whose pH is 7.3 and above, are field mustard, meadow sage, alfalfa, toadflax, field violet and wild poppy.
It is worth remembering that the majority of both cultivated and wild plants prefer neutral or slightly acidic soil.
