Acidic/Alkaline (61 Near Nature Experiments)

You will need:

1. Samples of soil from varied locations (such as lawn, garden, river
   bank, field, etc.)
2. 2 large glass jars
3. Box of baking soda
4. Bottle of white vinegar
5. Clean water

We all know that plants need soil to grow. But do you know that the acidity levels in soil also vary? Find out which plants grow in which type of soil.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Take 8-9 tablespoonfuls of soil from
   each sample and make sure that the
   samples are dried in the sun for a
   day.
2. To test the acidity level of the soil,
   mix 3 tablespoonfuls of soil with 3 tablespoonfuls of baking soda in a clean dry glass jar. Add 1 cup of clean water.
3. To test the alkalinity of the soil, mix 3 tablespoonfuls of soil in the other glass jar with 1 cup of white vinegar, and shake well.

RESULT

If the baking soda, water and soil mixture fizzes, it means the soil is acidic; whereas if the soil and white vinegar mixture fizzes, it means the soil is alkaline. Take the experiment a step further by planting different quick growing seeds (like radish, coriander, etc.) in different soil samples and see which soil suits which plant, by monitoring its growth.