The great thing about Indigenous plants is they have evolved with local soil conditions making plant selection a little bit easier
A pH test is the next test to perform and a simple inexpensive kit can be bought from most local hardware stores. Your soil pH can vary widely, especially if you have a number of environmental conditions on your site. For most suburban gardeners, it will be quite consistent across your site and 3 or 4 sites will be enough.
If your soil is between 6.5 and 7 you have a neutral soil and few concerns with pH. Below 6 or above 7.5 you will need to be more careful with what you plant. Getting the pH right in the food producing garden is extremely important. Although 7 is great for most veggies, blueberries will need a much more acidic soil (pH 4.5 to 5.5). Long term pH adjustment is difficult and it is much easier to just pair your plants with the soil you have or keep them in pots.
Note: If you don’t have a garden base plan please refer to previous blog
Understanding your garden: Creating a Garden Base plan & site assessment 101
In the Northern and Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, heavy clays over younger basalts is a common soil type. A neutral to slightly acidic test result for this soil type is a common result
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