Maintaining healthy soil is essential for thriving outdoor plant boxes, and a simple DIY soil testing kit can help you monitor key factors like pH, moisture, and nutrient levels. Here’s how to make one at home:

Materials Needed:

- Small clean containers (e.g., jars or plastic cups)

- Distilled water

- Baking soda and vinegar (for pH testing)

- A trowel or spoon for soil sampling

- pH test strips or a digital pH meter (optional)

- Notebook for recording results

Steps:

1. Collect Soil Samples: Use a trowel to gather soil from different areas of your plant box, about 2-3 inches deep. Mix the samples for an average reading.

2. Test Soil pH:

- For a basic test, add 1/2 cup of soil to a jar with 1/2 cup distilled water. Stir well and let it settle.

- Add 1/2 cup vinegar. If it fizzes, your soil is alkaline (pH >7).

- If no reaction, mix another sample with baking soda. Fizzing indicates acidic soil (pH <7).

3. Check Moisture: Squeeze a handful of soil. If it holds shape but crumbles when touched, it’s ideal. If it’s soggy or powdery, adjust watering.

4. Monitor Nutrients: Observe plant health (e.g., yellow leaves may signal nitrogen deficiency) or use store-bought test strips for accuracy.

Tips:

- Test soil every 2-3 months or when plants show stress.

- Adjust pH with lime (to raise) or sulfur (to lower) as needed.

This DIY kit helps you maintain optimal soil conditions without expensive tools, ensuring your outdoor plant boxes stay lush and productive!