Soil Isn’t Just “Dirt”

 

 

It’s a living, layered system made up of several key components:

• Mineral particles (sand, silt, clay): Derived from weathered rock, they determine texture, drainage, and aeration.

• Organic matter (humus): Decayed plant and animal material that enriches soil with nutrients and helps retain moisture.

• Water: Essential for dissolving nutrients and supporting plant growth.

• Air: Provides oxygen for roots and soil organisms.
 

The balance of these components defines whether soil is sandy, clayey, or loamy, and influences fertility and plant suitability.
 

What Soil pH Means

• Definition: Soil pH is the measure of acidity or alkalinity

• Scale: 0 – 14

o Below 7 = acidic (East Texas soils often fall here).

o 7 = neutral.

o Above 7 = alkaline.
 

Why It Matters

Soil composition and pH together determine:

• Which plants thrive – some prefer acidic soil, while others prefer alkaline.

• How nutrients are dissolved and plants absorb them.

• The activity of soil microbes that support plant health.
 

 

East Texas naturally leans toward acidic soil which is both a blessing and a limitation. It’s perfect for azaleas and blueberries but requires careful management if you want to grow crops that prefer alkaline conditions.
 

Plants that love East Texas acidic soil:

• Azaleas

• Blueberries

• Hydrangeas

• Magnolias, Camellias, and Gardenias
 

Testing soil pH and amending with lime (to raise pH) or sulfur (to lower pH) allows you to tailor conditions to your plants. Knowing where your soil falls on the acidic or alkaline scale determines what plants will grow well in your yard.
 

 

Do you know what your soil ph is?
It’s easy to find out if you don’t.

 

Here’s 2 options:
1. Visit the Gregg County Extension Office located at 405 E. Marshall Ave. Ste 101 in Longview (across from McDonalds). Pick up the form, collection bag, collection instructions and the address to mail it to. For $12 plus postage you will learn your pH along with levels of Sodium, Conductivity, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium and Magnesium of your soil. Testing is done by Texas A&M AgriLife and you will receive test results in the mail.
 
2. We offer pH tests (qty of 10) for under $10 that will instruct you how to collect and test your soil. Results are immediate.