ph soil or water

Why would the plants being outside matter?

As to your question, either is fine, but knowing the soil pH is better.

For what it's worth, I've been told if the soil out of the bag is in the sweet spot for ph, it doesn't matter what runs out, it only matters what you put in far as ph. Several hydro shops have told me that anyway when I ask about ph

Originally Posted by obijohn

For what it's worth, I've been told if the soil out of the bag is in the sweet spot for ph, it doesn't matter what runs out, it only matters what you put in far as ph. Several hydro shops have told me that anyway when I ask about ph

How would you know if the soil was the right pH?

I googled Fox Farms Ocean Forest, out of the bag it is 6.3 to 6.8. And you can always test the soil if. Ot sure

Anywho, if you really want to know soil pH, just google it. Its pretty simple, really. The way I've don it in the past:

* Add some soil from your container to a jar. Try to get some soil from about mid level or so of your container if possible.
* Mix with 1:1 ratio of distilled water (should be pH neutral).
* Cap jar and shake. Allow to sit for 10 minutes or so.
* Uncap and insert pH meter into slurry. If you are worried about potential damage to pH electrode, filter water first (a coffee filter will suffice) and test filtered water.

This should give you the pH of your soil.

I know I'm the exception here but I have never tested for PH whether it be soil or water. I should now that I'm using tap water but as long as you use your dolomite lime and let your soil sit after mixing it, you should be fine.

always ph test the soil directly

Originally Posted by BigJon

I know I'm the exception here but I have never tested for PH whether it be soil or water. I should now that I'm using tap water but as long as you use your dolomite lime and let your soil sit after mixing it, you should be fine.

Dolomite lime won't do anything for feed water that is too alkaline (like most tap water).