Toxic Sodium Levels

Alkaline soil collects salt and sodium carbonates, which affect a plant’s ability to develop roots. Stunted plant roots have difficulty absorbing nutrients and water.

Mineral Deficiencies

Iron and manganese react in highly alkaline soil, changing into forms that make them unavailable for plant use. Plants with insufficient iron and manganese produce fewer and poorer crops.

Inaccessible Phosphorus

With high pH, the phosphorous in soil becomes an insoluble solid, which is unusable to plants.

Solution

Add aluminum sulfate or peat moss to soil to lower the pH. Compost also helps because it neutralizes soil.

Expert Insight

Learning to live with alkaline soil may be easier and less expensive than trying to change the soil, the Utah State University Extension advises. Chose plants that tolerate high soil pH, like spinach, asparagus, carrots, cabbage and celery. They can be grown in soil with a pH between 7 and 8.