********************* SOIL PH PREFERENCE OF VARIOUS PLANTS *********************

+------------------+----------------------------------+------------------------+
| Acid Lovers      | Middle Range                     | Lime Lovers            |
| Low pH 4.0-6.5   | pH 6.0-7.0 (or Widely Tolerant)  | High pH 7.0-7.5        |
+------------------+----------------------------------+------------------------+
| Alyssum          | African violet                   | Ash                    |
| Azalea           | Alyssum                          | Aster                  |
| Birch            | Apple                            | Barberry               |
| Blackberry       | Apricot                          | Beech                  |
| Blueberry        | Bean [wide]                      | Boxwood                |
| Bougainvillea    | Beets                            | Carnation              |
| Camellia         | Begonia                          | Cherry                 |
| Citrus           | Bok Choy 5.5-7.0                 | Clematis               |
| Clivia 5-6       | Broccoli                         | Filbert                |
| Cranberry 3.5    | Cabbage [wide]                   | Hawthorn               |
| Crocus           | Carrot [wide]                    | Irish Juniper          |
| Daphne           | Chrysanthemum                    | Laburnum               |
| Delphinium       | Corn [very wide]                 | Lilac                  |
| Fern             | Cucumber                         | Maple (except Japanese)|
| Fir              | Gardenia                         | Peony                  |
| Fuchsia          | Garlic                           | Pinks                  |
| Heather          | Geranium                         | Plum                   |
| Holly            | Ivy                              | Poppy                  |
| Hydrangea        | Kale 6.0-7.0                     | Privet                 |
| Japanese Maple   | Lettuce                          | Salvia                 |
| Juniper          | Lilac                            | Sage                   |
| Laurel           | Magnolia                         | Sedum                  |
| Lily             | Melon                            | Sumac                  |
| Ivy              | Oleander                         | Sunflower              |
| Madrone          | Onion                            | Yew                    |
| Magnolia         | Parsley [wide]                   |                        |
| Oak              | Pea [wide]                       |                        |
| Orchid           | Peach [wide]                     |                        |
| Pine             | Pepper [wide]                    |                        |
| Phlox            | Philodendron                     |                        |
| Potato           | Potted Palm                      |                        |
| Raspberry        | Spinach 6.4-6.8 (not acid)       |                        |
| Redwood 6.5      | Succulents (alka soil/acid water)|                        |
| Rhododendron     |                                  |                        |
| Rose             |                                  |                        |
| Spruce           |                                  |                        |
| Strawberry       |                                  |                        |
| Willow           |                                  |                        |
+------------------+----------------------------------+------------------------+


HOW TO:

* To make soil more acid (lower pH) mulch with leaves, pine needles or coffee
  grounds, or buy organic fertilizer labeled "for acid-loving plants".
  Planting your acid-lovers together will help them grow, because you can use
  acid soil amendments.

* To make your soil more alkaline (higher pH) add wood ashes or lime (not too
  much!) to the soil or to your compost.

* Never add something to change the pH of your soil before testing the pH of
  your soil. To find the pH of soil:

  * get pH test strips from a pharmacy or organic garden store;
  * test your water;
  * dilute some soil in your water; test the result and compare it to the pH
    of your water. 

* In general, most plants prefer neutral or slightly lower: pH 6.0 to 7.0.
  Do not over-correct.

* See organic gardening books and websites for other options. Look for what is
  easily available in your neighborhood.


NOTES:

* If you grow plants that are native to your neighborhood, your soil will be
  just fine. When adding non-native plants, you might want to think about pH.

* Compost tends to be neutral and will tend to correct an imbalance in your
  soil.
.