Healthy plants are the most important part of a growing garden. And one of the best ways to keep plants healthy is to make sure the soil's chemical pH level is correct.
健康的植物是成长花园中最重要的部分。保持植物健康的最好方法之一，就是确保土壤的化学pH值是正确的。
Every plant grows best in a specific pH level. The right pH level lets the plant take in the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and grow. Because the preferred levels are different for every plant, gardeners should learn the pH requirements for each one.
每种植物在特定的pH值下生长得最好。合适的pH值可以让植物吸收保持健康和生长所需的营养。由于每种植物的首选pH值不同，园丁应该了解每种植物的pH值要求。
For example, carnations require pH levels between 6.7-6.9; many grasses need a pH of 6.3-6.8; tomatoes need 6.2-6.8; azaleas, 4.5-6.0; and blueberries need a pH of between 4.5 and 5.5.
例如，康乃馨需要的pH值在6.7-6.9之间;许多草需要6.3-6.8的pH值;西红柿需要6.2-6.8;杜鹃花,4.5-6.0;蓝莓的pH值需要在4.5-5.5之间。
What is pH?
pH值是什么?
Soil pH is the level of acidity or alkalinity of the soil, as measured on a 14-point number system. A pH of seven is neutral. Values below seven are acidic, and those above are alkaline. Each unit on the number system is 10 times the next value on the scale. So, a pH reading of 7.0 is 10 times higher than a reading of 6.0. That means a small 1-unit difference is a lot.
土壤pH值是指土壤的酸碱度，用14分制来测量。pH值为7是中性。低于7的值为酸性，高于7的值为碱性。数字系统中的每一个单位都是下一个数字的10倍。因此，7.0的pH值比6.0的pH值高10倍。这意味着1个单位的微小差异是很大的。
If the pH does not fit a plant's needs, it will not be able to take in enough nutrients. That is the case whether the nutrients are found naturally in the soil or added as fertilizer. A lack of nutrients will result in a lack of growth, discoloration, and even death.
如果pH值不适合植物的需要，它就不能吸收足够的营养。无论这些营养物质是在土壤中自然发现的，还是作为肥料添加的，都是如此。缺乏营养会导致植物生长迟缓，变色，甚至死亡。
The wrong pH can also poison your plants. That is because, just as it can block needed nutrients, the wrong pH can also increase the uptake of other nutrients to the point they become poisonous.
错误的pH值也会毒害你的植物。这是因为，就像它可以阻止所需的营养物质一样，错误的pH值也可以增加对其他营养物质的吸收，从而使它们变得有毒。
How to test your soil
如何测试你的土壤
To learn the pH of your soil, use products like pH testing devices or an electronic meter. They can be found at stores that sell plants, called nurseries, or online.
要了解土壤的pH值，可以使用pH测试设备或电子仪表等产品。它们可以在卖植物的商店里找到，也就是园艺中心，或在线购买。
Kits usually contain a chemical colorant that is put on a small amount of soil. Users wait up to a minute or so, then compare any color changes to examples provided in the kit.
试剂盒通常含有一种化学着色剂，涂在少量的土壤上。用户等待一分钟左右，然后将任何颜色变化与工具包中提供的示例进行比较。
Test strips change color when placed into a mixture of soil and water. And electronic meters provide a reading after they are placed into the soil, sometimes with water.
试纸放在土壤和水的混合物中会变色。将它们放入土壤(有时与水一起)后，电子仪表会提供读数。
Depending on where you live, you can also send a small amount of soil to a cooperative extension office, which are services tied to some universities in the U.S. They likely offer soil testing for a small cost. Cooperative extension offices provide agricultural services from experts. In the U.S., they can be found at this link. Many countries have similar services at universities.
根据你所在的地区，你也可以把少量的土壤送到合作推广办公室，这是美国一些大学提供的服务，他们可能会以很少的费用提供土壤测试。合作推广办事处由专家提供农业服务。在美国，他们可以在这个链接中找到。许多国家的大学都有类似的服务。
General guidelines often ask you to dig up 60 milliliters of soil from three separate areas 10 centimeters deep within the same garden bed. Then mix the soil samples to create an average. It is best to call ahead for directions.
一般的指导方针通常要求你从同一个花坛内三个10厘米深的不同区域挖出60毫升的土壤。然后混合土壤样本，得到一个平均值。最好事先打电话获取指导。
Soil amendments
土壤改良
You do not have to do anything if your soil's pH falls within your plant's required levels. However, if the result is outside the required levels, your next step should be to amend the soil. Use the gardening product elemental sulfur to lower pH. Use ground limestone to raise it.
如果土壤的pH值在植物所需的范围内，你不需要做任何事情。然而，如果结果超出了要求的水平，你的下一步应该是改良土壤。使用园艺产品单质硫来降低ph值，使用石灰石来提高ph值。
Work the product about 20 to 30 centimeters into the soil before planting. Read the directions that come with the product to know how much to put in.
在种植前将产品混入土壤中20到30厘米。阅读产品随附的说明，了解应该添加多少量。
Tests provided by the cooperative extension office can offer expert guidance. Results from the office will arrive with advice about how much of which amendment needs to be added to meet your plant's preferred pH levels.
合作推广办公室提供的测试可以提供专家指导。办公室的结果将会带来建议，告诉你需要添加多少量哪种改良剂才能满足你的植物喜欢的pH值。
Be sure to test each area or bed in your garden separately. It is not unusual for differences to exist, even within a small area. It is also best to carry out a pH test every two or three years because soil conditions change, and amendments get used up.
一定要分别测试花园中的每个区域或床。即使在一个小区域内，存在差异也是很正常的。最好每两到三年进行一次pH值测试，因为土壤条件会发生变化，改良剂也会消耗殆尽。
I'm Caty Weaver.
卡蒂·韦弗报道。
Healthy plants are the most important part of a growing garden. And one of the best ways to keep plants healthy is to make sure the soil's chemical pH level is correct.
Every plant grows best in a specific pH level. The right pH level lets the plant take in the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and grow. Because the preferred levels are different for every plant, gardeners should learn the pH requirements for each one.
For example, carnations require pH levels between 6.7-6.9; many grasses need a pH of 6.3-6.8; tomatoes need 6.2-6.8; azaleas, 4.5-6.0; and blueberries need a pH of between 4.5 and 5.5.
What is pH?
Soil pH is the level of acidity or alkalinity of the soil, as measured on a 14-point number system. A pH of seven is neutral. Values below seven are acidic, and those above are alkaline. Each unit on the number system is 10 times the next value on the scale. So, a pH reading of 7.0 is 10 times higher than a reading of 6.0. That means a small 1-unit difference is a lot.
If the pH does not fit a plant's needs, it will not be able to take in enough nutrients. That is the case whether the nutrients are found naturally in the soil or added as fertilizer. A lack of nutrients will result in a lack of growth, discoloration, and even death.
The wrong pH can also poison your plants. That is because, just as it can block needed nutrients, the wrong pH can also increase the uptake of other nutrients to the point they become poisonous.
How to test your soil
To learn the pH of your soil, use products like pH testing devices or an electronic meter. They can be found at stores that sell plants, called nurseries, or online.
Kits usually contain a chemical colorant that is put on a small amount of soil. Users wait up to a minute or so, then compare any color changes to examples provided in the kit.
Test strips change color when placed into a mixture of soil and water. And electronic meters provide a reading after they are placed into the soil, sometimes with water.
Depending on where you live, you can also send a small amount of soil to a cooperative extension office, which are services tied to some universities in the U.S. They likely offer soil testing for a small cost. Cooperative extension offices provide agricultural services from experts. In the U.S., they can be found at this link. Many countries have similar services at universities.
General guidelines often ask you to dig up 60 milliliters of soil from three separate areas 10 centimeters deep within the same garden bed. Then mix the soil samples to create an average. It is best to call ahead for directions.
Soil amendments
You do not have to do anything if your soil's pH falls within your plant's required levels. However, if the result is outside the required levels, your next step should be to amend the soil. Use the gardening product elemental sulfur to lower pH. Use ground limestone to raise it.
Work the product about 20 to 30 centimeters into the soil before planting. Read the directions that come with the product to know how much to put in.
Tests provided by the cooperative extension office can offer expert guidance. Results from the office will arrive with advice about how much of which amendment needs to be added to meet your plant's preferred pH levels.
Be sure to test each area or bed in your garden separately. It is not unusual for differences to exist, even within a small area. It is also best to carry out a pH test every two or three years because soil conditions change, and amendments get used up.
I'm Caty Weaver.
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Words in This Story
garden - n. an area of ground where plants (such as flowers or vegetables) are grown
specific - adj. special or particular
alkali - n. a substance that has a bitter taste and that forms a salt when mixed with an acid
unit - n. a single thing, person, or group that is a part of something larger
meter -n. a device that measures a quality or property of some substance
kit -n. a small group of tools and supplies that permit work on a project
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