Brunnings says balanced soil matters — but is bitter dirt blocking your garden dreams?

September 24, 2025

Is Your Soil Throwing a Tantrum? Here’s How to Calm It Down

Learn what to do when your soil is too acidic or too alkaline — and how to fix it without expensive guesswork or complicated charts.

You swore you followed the planting instructions. The sun’s right, the pot is pretty, and the tags said “easy to grow.” So why is your lavender drooping like it just got bad news?

Here’s the thing most garden beginners don’t get told: your soil’s pH plays the leading role in your garden’s health story — and if it’s too acidic or too alkaline, it can quietly sabotage everything you try to grow. Kind of rude, right?

Fact: Most plants thrive when the soil pH is between 6 and 7.5 — outside that, nutrients become locked up and roots struggle to absorb what they need, no matter how much compost or love you pour in.

What Even Is Soil pH… And Why Should You Care?

Soil pH isn’t just a fancy science term. It's a measure of how acidic or alkaline your soil is — and it affects how well your plants absorb nutrients. If your pH is off balance, even the best fertilisers and watering schedules won’t help much.

Acidic soil (pH below 6): Common in areas with high rainfall. Can lead to yellow leaves and struggle with veggies like cauliflower or broccoli.
Alkaline soil (pH above 7.5): Often shows up in drier areas or where builders have dumped leftover materials. Makes it harder to grow blueberries, camellias, or anything that loves acidic conditions.

How Can You Tell What pH Your Soil Is?

You don’t need a lab coat — just a simple soil testing kit from your local garden centre. These kits are easy to use, cost less than a round of coffees, and give you instant insight. Alternatively, bring a dry handful into the store and we’ll test it with you over a chat — no judgement, just honest guidance.

What If Your Soil Is Too Acidic?

If your soil is too acidic, here’s how to bring it closer to balance:

Add garden lime: This is the classic fix. Sprinkle and fork it in evenly. Be gentle — it’s about adjusting slowly, not forcing overnight change.
Use compost made from neutral sources: Avoid pine needles, which can add more acidity. Opt for mushroom compost or well-rotted veggie scraps instead.
Pick pH-tolerant plants: If adjusting isn’t possible, go for azaleas, rhododendrons, or blueberries — they love acidic beds.

What If Your Soil Is Too Alkaline?

Too alkaline? It’s trickier, but still manageable:

Add sulphur or peat moss: These gently lower pH over time. Again — slow and steady wins the worm race.
Incorporate organic matter: Humus-rich compost breaks down and leans toward acidity. It also boosts your soil's structure and water retention.
Grow alkaline-friendly plants: Think elms, rosemary, or viburnum. They don’t mind the mineral party.

One Garden... Two Different Soils?

Yup. It’s possible for front yard soil to be alkaline and backyard soil to be acidic — especially if you're dealing with raised beds, patchy renovations, or inherited surprises. Don’t stress. Think of it as an excuse to get creative with plant choice.

How Long Does It Take to Fix pH?

Adjustments can take weeks to months, depending on your materials and how often you retest. But the transformation is real: we’ve seen once-struggling veggie beds bounce back like fresh salad after a summer storm. You’re not starting over from scratch — you’re giving your soil the tune-up it was begging for.

Case in Point: Carla’s Courtyard Comeback

A neighbour came in feeling defeated. Her herbs kept dying, and she was ready to give up. We tested her soil together — alkaline, bone dry, and leaching nutrients. She added sulphur flakes, swapped in an organic-rich compost, and started watering on a better schedule. Six weeks later, her balcony boxes were bursting with basil, kale, and colour. Total turnaround. Not magic — just matching plants and soil pH with a few easy tweaks.

Can’t Fix the Soil? Container Garden for the Win

If your in-ground soil is a hot mess and it’s all too hard right now, go for pots. With controlled soil mixes (hello, native blend or lightweight veggie mix), you set the pH stage from day one — no wildcards. It’s a clever shortcut we’d recommend any day for renters or apartment dwellers.

Ready to Take Control of Your Soil?

You don’t have to be a soil scientist or buzz through ten blogs to get this right. Just learn the basics, check the pH, and match the fix. That’s it. Because while you can’t out-fertiliser poor soil, you can absolutely outsmart it — and build a garden that actually grows with your confidence.

Every healthy garden starts underground. Feed the soil wisdom, and the flowers follow.

Happy digging,

— Candeece

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