A pH of 6.5 is just about right for most home gardens, since most plants thrive in the 6.0 to 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral) range. Some plants (blueberries, azaleas) prefer more acidic soil, while a few (ferns, asparagus) do best in soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline.

In the garden, acidic soils usually have a pH of 4-6.5, and alkaline soils have a pH of 7.5-9. A reading of 7 is considered neutral. The best pH for most soils or the most common is around 6.5.

In soil, pH is a measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. It is measured on a scale of 1 to 14, with 7 being the neutral mark (the halfway point between acidic and alkaline). For most plants, the ideal pH level is between 6 and 7.

Most plants do well when the soil pH is between 6.2 and 6.8. pH is a measure of the acidity and alkalinity of a material. The pH range is 0 (extremely acid) to 14 (extremely alkaline) with 7 being neutral.

A very high or very low soil pH will result in nutrient deficiency or toxicity, leading to poor plant growth. A pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal for most garden vegetables. This is the ideal range when microbial activity is greatest, and plant roots can best access nutrients.