Is your soil alkaline or acidic? If you aren't sure here is a cool ( 9th grade earth science kind of cool ), cost effective and easy way to find out.
Science Rules
You will need two containers approximately one cup in size
1/2 cup of vinegar
1/2 cup of baking soda
A couple handfuls of your soil.
Go out in the garden and get yourself a nice fistful of dirt and split in into your two containers.
In the first container mix in 1/2 cup of white vinegar. In the second container mix 1/2 cup of water ( mix ) and then 1/2 cup of baking soda.
Product Placement ( I'm waiting for my check )
If container #1 begins to bubble and fizz it is alkaline.
If you have no reaction turn your observation to container #2. Is it bubbling ? Well, you have acidic soil.
I observed equally mild reactions placing our soil somewhere in the middle. A nice place to be since we can tilt the soil to the needs of a certain plant. Roses want some acidity... that's easy... just add some coffee grounds and the soil is suited in a couple days.
Enough about my dirt let's get back to you. If your soil turned out to be acidic you can amend it with wood ash or lime. If it was alkaline add sulfur or pine needles.
Yup, you just used science. Congratulations.
