I've had trouble with both tomatoes and peppers this year, but I was blaming it on not being watered enough. Now I have another thing to check when evaluating my soil quality. Thanks for sharing the knowledge!
Glad we were able to help. If you are watering the right amount, fertilizing correctly, and they have enough sun, it could certainly be the pH that's holding them back. - Alex
I keep my soil damp with self watering containers. The meters seem to work well, but I’ll be sure to add water in advance next season. Thanks for the tip! - Alex
The package says reapply every 60 days until the desired pH is reached. I think you start seeing a difference in under a month, but it'll continue for another month before peaking.
I haven’t had that problem yet. I would think if you add more compost and regular potting soil, it should bring it back to a more normal range. The chicken wire over the pots is to help deter squirrels and chipmunks from digging up the soil.
i noticed i get better results if i remove compost and add the acidifier to the actual soil. I believe the sulfer binds with the organic material if you add it to the top of the compost.
I have two blueberry starters in pots in my home right now. They are leafing out wonderfully. When I transplanted them into pots, I used a blueberry food from gurneys. The soil is resting at 7. I do plan to put them into a raised garden bed. We still have snow on the ground , so it won’t be for another month or so before I get them in the beds. I did buy organic peat moss that I will be mixing with the organic soil I purchased. My question is , can I put a soil acidifier on the soil now before I put them in the beds? They are looking so beautiful right now and I don’t want to fail with them. Will the acid be too much along with plant food?
@@SoilMatesofGeorgia one more question if I may.. I will also be planting strawberries in the same bed with the blueberries . Can I use this acidifier on those also? Or will it hurt my strawberries if they get some of it from the blueberries?
@@mmsdcb9081 strawberries need a pH of 5 1/2 to 6 1/2. Blueberries need a little bit more acidic soil than that, but you could probably get by at 5 1/2 for both
Definitely the easy route to go too. I think the county extension charged us $18 for testing the soil on our farm. These little testers are much better for smaller gardens and containers. - Alex
thanks so much. I have a pygmy date palm in container and its leaves are drying up. No pest, right watering, right sunlight, added fertilizer still leaves turning brown and crispy. I started suspecting ph. Used the same moisture meter to check ph and its so close to 8. After seeing your video I am thinking to add the same soil acidifier. How long does it take to see results in the moisture meter?
Hello, I'm in Florida. Sounds like you may have frizzle leaf. Been dealing with this on customer property's for 30 years. Magnesium sulfate (good ole epsom salt) will solve that problem. Put down a good layer of compost and add the epsom salt. Don't be shy with it. Works every time. Although it does take awhile to show. Hope this helps.
@@evanbushong4291 I put 3 tbsn in that container I showed near the end. I didn’t use more because it wasn’t too far off from my target pH. On the containers I was showing at the beginning, I had to use more. I think I used at least 4 tbsn, maybe 5. On the smaller terracotta pots, I used two.
I don’t expect it to be completely accurate, but it helps point me in the right direction. Even using acidifier is an estimate for the amount needed for each container
It takes over a month to see results I believe. The package says to retest every couple months. Once I've reached my appropriate pH, I've seen it last months in my containers.
I've had trouble with both tomatoes and peppers this year, but I was blaming it on not being watered enough. Now I have another thing to check when evaluating my soil quality. Thanks for sharing the knowledge!
Glad we were able to help. If you are watering the right amount, fertilizing correctly, and they have enough sun, it could certainly be the pH that's holding them back. - Alex
Those meters work best when your soil is soaking wet.
I keep my soil damp with self watering containers. The meters seem to work well, but I’ll be sure to add water in advance next season. Thanks for the tip! - Alex
How long does it take for the pH to change after sprinkling the stuff on the soil?
The package says reapply every 60 days until the desired pH is reached. I think you start seeing a difference in under a month, but it'll continue for another month before peaking.
Tomatoes love 6-6.5! 7 and above with cause phosphorus lockout and u will struggle to produce anything, even viable seed. Good luck
My needle goes all the way to the right, what should I do for the soil? And what does the chicken wire do over your pots? Good Video.
I haven’t had that problem yet. I would think if you add more compost and regular potting soil, it should bring it back to a more normal range.
The chicken wire over the pots is to help deter squirrels and chipmunks from digging up the soil.
i noticed i get better results if i remove compost and add the acidifier to the actual soil. I believe the sulfer binds with the organic material if you add it to the top of the compost.
Thanks for the tip. I’ll try it this coming season. - Alex
I have two blueberry starters in pots in my home right now. They are leafing out wonderfully. When I transplanted them into pots, I used a blueberry food from gurneys. The soil is resting at 7. I do plan to put them into a raised garden bed. We still have snow on the ground , so it won’t be for another month or so before I get them in the beds. I did buy organic peat moss that I will be mixing with the organic soil I purchased. My question is , can I put a soil acidifier on the soil now before I put them in the beds? They are looking so beautiful right now and I don’t want to fail with them. Will the acid be too much along with plant food?
I think you are safe to use acidifier now. Acidifier and fertilizer do different things, so you are not doubling up.
@@SoilMatesofGeorgia thank you for responding ! I will check into getting the same acidifier as you used. Thanks again!
@@SoilMatesofGeorgia one more question if I may.. I will also be planting strawberries in the same bed with the blueberries . Can I use this acidifier on those also? Or will it hurt my strawberries if they get some of it from the blueberries?
@@mmsdcb9081 strawberries need a pH of 5 1/2 to 6 1/2. Blueberries need a little bit more acidic soil than that, but you could probably get by at 5 1/2 for both
@@SoilMatesofGeorgia thank you !
I wanted to get my soil tested but this is much more cost effective.
Definitely the easy route to go too. I think the county extension charged us $18 for testing the soil on our farm. These little testers are much better for smaller gardens and containers. - Alex
How often do you add the Acidifier to get the plants to achieve the correct ph daily, weekly ,monthly,🤔?
I wait a couple months before adding more if it needs it. It takes a few weeks to make a difference, so it’s better not to rush it.
@@SoilMatesofGeorgia
Thank you😃👍🏼
Will this tester work to test the soil on my lawn (grass)?
Yes, I’ve used it that way and it seems to work the same as in containers.
@@SoilMatesofGeorgia thanks!
thanks so much. I have a pygmy date palm in container and its leaves are drying up. No pest, right watering, right sunlight, added fertilizer still leaves turning brown and crispy. I started suspecting ph. Used the same moisture meter to check ph and its so close to 8. After seeing your video I am thinking to add the same soil acidifier. How long does it take to see results in the moisture meter?
I think it starts within a week or so, but isn’t completely in the soil for almost 2 months. It’s a pretty slow change overall.
@@SoilMatesofGeorgia Thanks :)
Palms r they sun or shade lovers n always use low nitrogen slow release
Hello, I'm in Florida. Sounds like you may have frizzle leaf. Been dealing with this on customer property's for 30 years. Magnesium sulfate (good ole epsom salt) will solve that problem. Put down a good layer of compost and add the epsom salt. Don't be shy with it. Works every time. Although it does take awhile to show. Hope this helps.
How long does it take for this product to work and lower the ph?
I think it starts within a week or so, but isn’t completely in the soil for almost 2 months.
Hey Bro. I think you should wipe/clean the rods between soil tests to avoid readings from the prior testing.
I used this to keep my hydrangeas blue and they are turning dark purple and pink ,did I do something wrong ?
Have you done a pH test yet? Maybe it’s not acidic enough & needs even more acidifier. Try to get it under 6.0 at least, maybe even closer to 5.5.
@@SoilMatesofGeorgia ill try that tha k u so much 💓
How many gallons of soil was in your pots
They are 27-gallon totes, so probably around 20-22 gallons of soil after accounting for the water reservoir on the bottom and some space on the top.
@@SoilMatesofGeorgia and you only put 2 tbsp in?
@@evanbushong4291 I put 3 tbsn in that container I showed near the end. I didn’t use more because it wasn’t too far off from my target pH. On the containers I was showing at the beginning, I had to use more. I think I used at least 4 tbsn, maybe 5. On the smaller terracotta pots, I used two.
will this stuff work on camellias?
Yes. It’ll work for any plants that need a lower pH, like camellias. Good luck!
I would not trust that thing to accurately read still ph.
I don’t expect it to be completely accurate, but it helps point me in the right direction. Even using acidifier is an estimate for the amount needed for each container
How long does it take to lower ph?
It takes over a month to see results I believe. The package says to retest every couple months. Once I've reached my appropriate pH, I've seen it last months in my containers.