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Professional Soil pH Tester

Soil Health
4 min read

Lawns grow best in soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. Use a professional soil pH tester from Jonathan Green to correctly balance the pH of your soil to help your lawn grow greener and healthier.

Since 1881, Jonathan Green has specialized in beautiful lawns. Six generations of the Green family have worked to perfect our genetically superior grass seed and our family of lawn and soil care products. Jonathan Green products will transform every aspect of your lawn to help it thrive like never before, and, with our New American Lawn Care Plan, you will find it easier than ever to care for your lawn.

About Soil pH

pH stands for potential hydrogen. It refers to the excessive amount of hydrogen ions that block exchange sites in the soil and prevent minerals and nutrients from being absorbed by the grass.

The pH level of the soil is vital to growing lush, green lawns. On a scale of 1 to 14, a pH of 1 is very acidic and a pH of 14 is very alkaline (or basic), while a pH reading of 7 is neutral.  Lawns grow best in a soil that is slightly acidic to neutral (between 6.2 and a 7.0 on the pH scale).

Even small changes in pH reading can mean big changes for the lawn grass plant because the pH scale is logarithmic. This means that a pH reading of 5 is 1o times more acidic than a pH reading of 6 and 100 times more acidic than a pH reading of 7, and so on.

Test the pH Like the Professionals

Jonathan Green’s Pro pH & Moisture Soil Tester accurately measures soil pH and moisture levels to within 0.2 pH and a 10% moisture level in just two minutes. This high-quality professional tool is used by sod growers, golf course superintendents, sports field managers, and landscapers to determine the right time to add fertilizer and lime.

To use the pH Tester, start with enough soil. A coffee can tightly packed with about three cups of soil is a good sampling size. To get an accurate pH reading, the soil should be moist (NOT soaking wet). Bone dry soil will not give you an accurate reading. If the soil needs to be moistened, spray it with a healthy amount of distilled water. (Tap water will provide an improper reading.)

Clean the three metal sensor rings on the pH Tester with a clean cloth and then polish them with the green pad that comes with the device. Then insert the probe into the soil to the top of the copper sensor ring, covering it completely. Make sure that the soil is tightly packed around the sensor rings. The pH will be fully calculated in 2 minutes.

If the soil pH reading is not between 6.2 and 7.0, use Jonathan Green MAG-I-CAL® or MAG-I-CAL® Plus to rapidly balance the pH and help the lawn grow greener and healthier.

  • If severely acidic (pH of 3.0 to 5.0) – Spread three bags of MAG-I-CAL® on the lawn
  • If very acidic (pH of 5.0 to 6.0) – Spread two bags of MAG-I-CAL® on the lawn
  • If slightly acidic (pH of 6.0 to 7.0) – Spread one bag of MAG-I-CAL or MAG-I-CAL Plus

Learn more about the Jonathan Green professional soil pH tester by visiting our online store, or contact your nearest retail store for valuable lawn care advice.

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