This chart illustrates the ideal Soil pH for Vegetables. The maximum yield is highly dependent on the pH level.
If you are going to grow vegetables commercially or personal usage, observing and maintaining pH level is beneficial.
Soil pH reflects the measurement of soil acidity or alkalinity. It has a scale of 0-14. While 5.5- 8.0 is natural.
A level of 8.5 is considered a highly alkaline substance.
However, not all vegetables grow well at the natural level. It varies from vegetable varieties to varieties. For most of the vegetables, a pH of 6.0-7.0 is ideal (source). While 6.5 is the ideal.
Ideal Soil pH Levels for Vegetables
Vegetables grow best when soil pH is optimal. Follow this chart to compare the soil pH level for growing different vegetables.
Here is a complete chart of soil pH for growing vegetables. That demonstrates the pH Level Range that each vegetable can tolerate/grow well and give the best yield.
Note: To find the pH range of a specific vegetable click CTRL/⌘ key and press F togather.
| Vegetable Name | Ideal pH for Soil |
|---|---|
| Artichoke | 6.5 – 7.5 |
| Artichoke(globe) | 5.6-6.6 |
| Arugula (Roquette) | 6.0 – 6.8 |
| Asparagus | 6.5-7.5 |
| Avocado | 6.0-7.0 |
| Bean, french | 7.5 |
| Bean, pole | 6.0-7.5 |
| Beans | 6.0 – 7.5 |
| Beet Root | 6.0 – 7.5 |
| Broccoli | 6.0 – 7.0 |
| Brussel Sprouts | 6.0 – 7.5 |
| Brussels Sprouts | 6.0-7.0 |
| Cabbage | 6.0 – 7.5 |
| Cantaloupe | 6.0-7.0 |
| Carrot | 5.5 – 7.0 |
| Catnip | 5.0-6.0 |
| Cauliflower | 5.5 – 7.5 |
| Celery | 6.0 – 7.0 |
| Chard | 6.0-7.0 |
| Chickpeas | 5.3 – 7.0 |
| Chicory | 5.0 – 6.5 |
| Chili pepper | 5.0-6.0 |
| Chinese Cabbage | 6.0 – 7.5 |
| Chives | 5.0-6.0 |
| Corn | 5.5 – 7.0 |
| Cress | 6.0 – 7.0 |
| Cucumber | 5.5 – 6.5 |
| Dill | 5.0-6.0 |
| Eggplant | 6.0 – 7.0 |
| Garlic | 5.5 – 7.0 |
| Gourds | 5.0-6.0 |
| Horseradish | 6.0 – 7.0 |
| Kale | 6.0 – 7.5 |
| Kiwi | 5.0-7.0 |
| Kohlrabi | 6.0 – 7.5 |
| Leek | 6.0 – 8.0 |
| Lentil | 5.5 – 7.0 |
| Lettuce | 6.0 – 6.5 |
| Mint | 6.0-7.0 |
| Mushroom | 6.5 – 7.5 |
| Mushroom | 7.0-8.0 |
| Mustard | 6.0 – 7.5 |
| Okra | 6.0-8.0 |
| Onions | 6.2-6.8 |
| Parsley | 6.0-8.0 |
| Parsley, Hamburg Rooted | 6.0 – 7.0 |
| Parsnip | 5.5 – 7.5 |
| Pea | 6.0 – 7.5 |
| Peanut | 5.0 – 6.5 |
| Peas | 5.6-6.6 |
| Pepper | 5.5 – 7.0 |
| Peppers | 6.0-8.0 |
| Potato | 4.5 – 6.0 |
| Potato- Sweet | 5.5 – 6.0 |
| Pumpkin | 5.5 – 7.5 |
| Pumpkins | 5.0-7.0 |
| Radish | 6.0 – 7.0 |
| Raspberry | 6.0-6.5 |
| Rhubarb | 5.5 – 7.0 |
| Rhubarb | 5.0-7.0 |
| Rice | 5.5 – 6.5 |
| Rutabaga | 5.0-7.0 |
| Shallot | 5.5 – 7.0 |
| Shallots | 5.0-7.0 |
| Soybean | 5.5 – 6.5 |
| Spinach | 6.0 – 7.5 |
| Spinach | 5.0-7.0 |
| Squash | 6.0-7.0 |
| Squash, crookneck | 6.0-7.5 |
| Squash, Hubbard | 5.5-7.0 |
| Strawberries | 6.0-7.0 |
| Sunflowers | 6.0-7.0 |
| Sweet corn | 6.0-7.0 |
| Sweet potatoes | 5.0-7.0 |
| Swiss chard | 6.0-7.0 |
| Tobacco | 5.0-7.0 |
| Tomato | 5.5 – 7.5 |
| Turnip | 5.5 – 7.0 |
| Water Cress | 5.0 – 8.0 |
| Watermelon | 5.5 – 6.5 |
| Yam | 6.0-8.0 |
| Zucchini | 6.0-7.0 |
** The safest pH level for any vegetable is the average value of the Ideal pH. So, aim for achieving that.
Overview Guide – That is Essential to Know:
The pH influences several soil agents affecting the growth. The value depends on nutrient leaching, soil bacteria, nutrient availability, amount of toxic elements, and the soil structure.
Measuring the pH level will allow you to minimize the cost and effort.
- Most of the vegetable grows well in between 6.0-7.0
- To lower the pH apply acidic elements like ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate.
- To increase apply lime calcium carbonate (CaCO3) or dolomitic limestone (CaCO3 & MgCO3).
Now,
If you are doing commercial farming producing crops on huge land, then the soil pH needs to be checked in several places.
If you are measuring pH level on a pot or raised bed garden- it’s easy and straightforward. Just use a digital soil testing tool to do it.
Tips on Measuring the Current pH Level
What necessary steps should you take before growing your plants? If you want to get the soil at the right pH level, then how to start?
Indeed, you have to know what is its current pH level. And then you can follow the below methods according to your requirement.
To do the test of the soil pH, you can use a testing kit. Taking samples from different places of the soil you’ll be able to know what is the pH of the soil. There is a great way to measure pH:
First off, digging five different holes and then you have to take samples from each hole. In this way, you will get a perfect pH measurement result.
FAQ
General questions answers that can help you understand the pH of soil.
Why soil pH is important?
It indicates the availability of required nutrients in the soil. It will allow you to determine how much food is available in the soil for a specific vegetable.
What pH level Indicate Soil Toxicity?
If the soil pH levels are higher than 9 then it may be turn out toxic. This soil is most likely to contain iron, carbonate, bicarbonate, and aluminum.
It also cause nutrient deficiency (caused by an excessive amount of sodium) and reduce soil fertility.
How Often you should Check the Soil?
After every 3-5 years.
Resources:
- “Growing Vegetables” by G.W. Ware and J.P. McCollum.
- Understanding soil pH
- pH for the Garden
- Fact Sheets Soil pH – SA
