[permaculture-oceania] Bushie's pH test method?

[Pat Scott]

I don't know if you would call this a 'bushie's' test, but it is  
simple.  This appeared in 'Australian Plants,' June, 2005, in an  
article by Doug Rickard:

The Simple Fizz Test
There is a very rough and ready test that you can carry out in your  
kitchen to find out if the soil in your backyard is a potential  
disaster zone. Dig up a handful of soil; remove any pebbles and large  
bits of plant debris and then let it air-dry. Crush any large lumps  
of soil, then scoop up a tablespoonful of dry soil and add several  
drops of vinegar. If this makes your soil fizz then your
soil pH is greater than 7.5 and is too alkaline for most plants. If  
it doesn't fizz scoop up another tablespoonful of dry soil, add water  
until it is very moist then add a pinch of baking powder. If this  
makes your soil fizz then your soil pH is less than 5 and is too acid  
for most plants.

Pat

On 22/09/2006, at 10:19 AM, Matthew Bond wrote:

> Hi guys,
>
> I was talking to someone yesterday who vaguely remembered being  
> taught a "bushie's" pH test method when he did a course on green/ 
> ground keeping.  It involved moistening the soil and getting a  
> consistency of texture then putting it in the oven for a while and  
> this somehow tells them everything that a standard pH test can.  Is  
> anyone aware of it and if so would they be so kind as to divulge  
> such to the rest of the group.
>
> Matthew.
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