Eight Veggies Unsuitable for Soil with Low pH Levels
Vegetable gardening can be a rewarding pastime, but ensuring your soil conditions are suitable for your crops is vital. While some edibles thrive in acidic soils, many vegetables grow best in slightly acidic to neutral environments. Here, we discuss eight crops that don't fare well in highly acidic soil and tips for amending your garden to create an optimal growing environment.
- Asparagus
These plants might like alkaline soils more than most vegetables, but they can't withstand highly acidic conditions. With a target pH of 6.8, asparagus plants flourish in soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. Consider growing it in dedicated raised beds with amended soil or adding a soil alkalizer like lime to your soil if it's too acidic.
- Beets
Though beet crops are slightly more tolerant of acidic soil than asparagus, highly acidic soil can still hinder their growth. For best results, aim for a soil pH of around 6.5. Beet plants can tolerate a range from 6.0 to 7.0.
- Onions
Onions, regardless of their type, struggle in dense, overly wet, and very acidic soils. Grow them in soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0 and amend the beds with compost for bigger bulbs.
- Peas
Peas fix nitrogen in the soil, but they fail to do so effectively in acidic soil. Grow them in well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5 to encourage nitrogen fixation and promote plant growth. Additionally, inoculating pea seeds before planting can boost nitrogen fixation.
- Brassicas
Cauliflower, cabbage, and many other popular brassica crops grow best when soil pH levels are between 6.0 and 7.0. Overly acidic soils can interfere with their nutrient absorption, leading to stunted growth and reduced yields. Regular annual applications of compost can help neutralize acidic soil and ensure your brassicas are well-nourished.
- Lettuce
Lettuce prefers a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, with an ideal pH of 6.4. Maintaining these conditions can produce larger lettuce heads. In case your soil's pH is below 6.0, growing lettuce in pots, large containers, or raised beds filled with quality vegetable potting mix may be your best option.
- Radishes
Radishes require a pH between 6.5 and 7.0 to grow well, as they don't tolerate highly acidic soil. Soil amendments like lime, compost, or wood ashes can help adjust the soil pH for growing radishes.
- Spinach
Spinach plants are sensitive to highly acidic soils, and low pH levels can lead to discolored leaves, distorted growth, and other issues. To avoid these problems, spinach thrives in rich soils with a pH between 6.5 and 8.0. Mix compost or aged manure into your garden prior to planting or consider growing spinach in pots or raised beds.
If you're unsure about your soil's pH, conduct a soil test to determine if your garden soil falls on the acidic side. Perform a test at least once every three years to keep track of soil pH levels and make adjustments as necessary.
- To ensure that 'BHG's guide on vegetable gardening' is helpful, it's crucial to test your soil's pH level, as many crops like 'asparagus' and 'beets' struggle in highly acidic soil.
- When 'retesting' your soil's pH, remember that vegetables like 'onions' grow best in slightly acidic to neutral environments, as they struggle in dense, overly wet, and extremely acidic soils.
- It's important to 'avoid' planting sensitive crops such as 'peas' in highly acidic soil, as they fail to fix nitrogen effectively in such conditions. Instead, opt for well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
- If you're concerned about the 'rates' of growth and yield of 'brassicas', like cauliflower and cabbage, regularly test and amend your soil's pH to ensure it falls within the ideal range of 6.0 to 7.0, as overly acidic soils can interfere with their nutrient absorption.
