What is Alkaline Soil?
M.L., Miami Shores A: Soil pH is a measure of acidity or alkalinity. It is expressed by a number on a scale from 0-14. A neutral reading is 7. Any reading above 7 represents an alkaline condition and the larger the number, the more alkaline the substance. In Miami-Dade County, with very few exceptions, our soils are moderately alkaline (7.5-8.0). They are formed from limestone and trying to lower the pH is generally not possible. However, you can use plants that are adapted to high pH soils, and use compost to increase organic matter in the soil and mulches to conserve soil moisture. Elements that are essential for plant growth are either available or ”tied-up” according to the pH of the soil. Alkaline soils tend to tie-up several elements, namely potassium, magnesium, manganese and zinc. Contrary to popular belief, soil testing is usually not needed in Miami-Dade County (and much of Broward and Monroe counties) since it’s known that most of the habited parts of the county have alkal
Alkaline soil, also referred to as “sweet soil” by some gardeners, is identified as having a potential of hydrogen (pH) level above 7.0. The pH scale begins at 0 and ends at 14. A pH of 7.0 is considered neutral, and anything above is considered alkaline, or basic. Alkaline soil usually contains large amounts of calcium, sodium, and magnesium, and is less soluble than acidic soil. Plant growth is often reduced in alkaline soil, because water and essential nutrients aren’t able to easily penetrate the soil. This can lead to nutrient deficiency and stunted growth in plants. Soil that is only slightly alkaline may be beneficial to some plants, such as lilacs and asparagus, but an overabundance of alkalinity is almost always detrimental to growth. In highly alkaline soils, iron, manganese, and phosphorus are not available in quantities high enough to sustain growth in most plants. Alkaline soil commonly occurs in arid or desert regions with light rainfall, while areas that are heavily fore
