Alkaline: Having a pH greater than 7; also known as basic.
In gardening, understanding soil pH is crucial, and alkalinity refers to the level of basicity in your soil. A pH of 7 is neutral, anything above 7 is alkaline, and anything below 7 is acidic. Many plants thrive in a slightly acidic to neutral soil, but some prefer alkaline conditions.
Testing your soil’s pH is important because it affects how well plants can absorb nutrients. If your soil is too alkaline, some nutrients might be locked up and unavailable to your plants, even if they’re present in the soil. You can amend alkaline soil by adding things like sulfur or pine needles to lower the pH. Knowing your soil’s pH allows you to choose plants that will thrive in your garden and make adjustments as needed.
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