When testing your soils it is important to measure soil pH, which is the measure of the power of the hydrogen present in the soil. An acid soil is one that has been highly leached or has had the addition of very acidic materials such as artificial fertilisers. Most plants require a soil pH that is neutral for optimum plant growth and development. Many plants are sensitive to soil pH and soil nutrient availability is also determined in part by the soil pH. Soil pH is tested in the field using soil pH kit obtain from your local plant nursery or rural supplier. It contains a chemical reagent, that reacts with the hydrogen ions that are present in the soil and a white powder of Barium sulphate that allows the colour reaction of the soil to be easily interpreted. A colour reaction that is mostly yellow and orange indicates an acid soil pH, green colours indicate a neutral pH and a purple reaction indicates a alkaline reaction in the soil. A soil pH ranging between 5.5 and 7.5 is ideal for most plant species and for optimum nutrient availability Once you are aware of you soil pH you are able to develop management strategies for managing the soil pH or correcting it to a neutral range if possible