If your stately maples start turning yellow in June, a soil test may be in order. In fact, it’s a good idea to determine the pH level (level of acidity) of your soil before you plant anything to achieve better growing results. The pH level is measured on a scale of 1 to 14 (one being most acid and 14 being most alkaline). Most plants thrive with a pH around 7.
Home soil-testing kits are available at most garden centres and some even measure the soil’s major nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). Or you can send a soil sample to a laboratory for testing. We tried two home kits and compared the results with those from a lab.
*Photo by Rich Legg/iStock*
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