Acidifying

Acidifying: Making something more acidic, like soil or water.

In home gardening, acidifying soil usually means lowering its pH. Many plants, like blueberries, azaleas, and rhododendrons, thrive in acidic soil. If your soil is too alkaline (the opposite of acidic), these plants might struggle to absorb nutrients, even if those nutrients are present. Acidifying can be done by adding things like sphagnum peat moss, sulfur, or pine needles to the soil. It’s always a good idea to test your soil’s pH before making changes, so you know how much to add.

Think of it like adding lemon juice to a recipe to give it a little zing. Some plants like that “zing” in their soil! Just like you wouldn’t add a ton of lemon juice without tasting first, you shouldn’t drastically change your soil’s pH without testing. Too much acidity can be just as bad as not enough. You can find soil testing kits at most garden centers, and they’ll usually tell you how to adjust the pH based on the results.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as health, wellness or nutrition advice. Please see our full disclaimers here.