Checking the pH of the soil refers to its acidity or alkalinity.
It is a vital factor in the plant's ability to obtain all types of plant foods and essential chemicals via its root system. For example, an alkaline soil can produce stunted plants with yellowing leaves becuase minerals like iron cannot be absorbed. At a neutral pH of 7, most of the essential chemicals and plant food become available, producing healthy plants.
To test your soil, buy a soil testing kit from a garden center. The majority of amateour soil-testing kits are very simple and rely on color rather than the numerical pH scale.
