Strawberries, for instance, flourish best in soil that is relatively acidic (ericaceous). Obviously, then, you should know your soil's pH level before you select plants for your. If you care about the health of your plants, you should be mindful of your soil's pH for a variety of reasons.

A soil that is considered "neutral" would be a soil with a measurement of "7." Most garden soil has a pH level between pH4 and pH8.5. On the other hand, plants such as broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower grow best in soil that is more alkaline (or limey). A level of "0" indicates an extreme level of acidity, and a level of "14" indicates an extreme level of alkalinity. A pH scale is a system for testing levels of acidity and alkalinity.

Some plants, however, are exceptions. Most plants thrive best in a soil that is neutral (pH =7). For example, the type and level of a soil's nutrients available for plants to absorb are directly related to the soil's pH level.

A soil's natural pH level is measured on a scale of 0 14.