Article: Store the unused potting mix in an old garbage can or other container with a lid. Choose a sheltered spot for storage. You don't want your potting mix to be exposed to rain before it's in your garden, so choose a spot that is under cover. Similarly, your potting mix should not be directly exposed to sun, especially in hot weather. A garden shed is a good storage place. The pH measures the acidity and alkaline levels of the soil. Meters that measure the soil's pH levels are available for purchase online for $20 or more. Let the mixture mature for a week to give all the ingredients a chance to blend together before testing the pH. Place the pH meter in your soil to test its pH. If the soil is too high in either acid or alkaline, nutrients may not be absorbed into plants as easily. An ideal pH level for most plants will be between 5.5 and 7.0 To raise the pH levels, or to make it more alkaline, add some lime. To lower the pH, or to make it more acidic, add more sulphur. Make small batches of soil to test different mixtures and proportions. This will help you get a feel for how different ingredients produce different pH levels. A bioassay is a test to check the viability of a biological specimen. Basically, this means that you're going to use the soil to start seeds and monitor how they grow. Try growing oats, beans, or lettuce from seed. Monitor how quickly the seeds germinate and how the seedlings grow. If the majority of seeds do not germinate or the seedlings grow slowly, your potting mix might be poor. Try a different recipe for your potting mix. Search online for "potting mix recipe" to find another option. Remember to skip the fertilizer in your mix if you're going to be using it to start seeds.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Store your potting mix. Test your soil with a pH meter. Test your soil with a bioassay.