Showing posts with label soil Ph. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soil Ph. Show all posts

Thursday, August 7, 2025

Why Did My Nikko Blue Hydrangea Turn Pink? Understanding Soil Chemistry

 

Last spring, my brother gifted me a gorgeous Nikko blue hydrangea, and its vivid sky-blue flowers instantly became the star of my garden. I nurtured it through the seasons, imagining it would bloom again in that same blue hue. But this year, something unexpected happened: the very same plant burst into a bold splash of pink. I couldn’t help but wonder what changed?

AI generated image 


Hydrangea color shifts are a fascinating expression of soil science. The flower shade isn’t random it’s rooted in the chemistry of your garden. Specifically, the color reflects your soil’s pH level and the presence (or absence) of aluminum. If your soil is acidic, aluminum becomes available to the plant, turning blooms blue. More alkaline soil, however, locks aluminum out, nudging flowers toward pink or even lilac.



Here in the Ozarks, with its rugged terrain and abundance of limestone, I assumed our rocky soil leaned naturally acidic. But limestone-rich earth is more alkaline than it appears. That’s likely what caused my blue hydrangea to shift revealing how important it is to test your garden's soil pH if you're aiming to maintain or change hydrangea color. It's one of those small steps in blue hydrangea care that makes all the difference.

So how do you get blue hydrangeas in alkaline soil? First, conduct a simple soil test to find your current PH. If it reads above 6.0, you’ll need to gently nudge it downward. Gardeners often turn to acidic soil amendments like pine needles, coffee grounds, or peat moss to begin rebalancing. For a quicker fix, many use aluminum sulfate a popular choice in how to change hydrangea color though it's essential to follow instructions carefully. Even your water source matters: hard tap water with minerals can raise soil pH over time, so switching to rainwater may help stabilize acidity.




The shift in color doesn’t mean your plant is unhealthy far from it. My Nikko hydrangea is thriving with its pink blossoms, larger and brighter than ever. But if you’re dreaming of those cooler blue hues and want to restore them, understanding your soil’s character is key. It’s not just about gardening it’s about listening to what your landscape is trying to tell you.

Hydrangeas have a charming way of whispering soil secrets with every bloom. Whether they wear blush or blue, they invite us to look deeper and connect more thoughtfully with the ground we tend.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Testing Soil to Determine Right Grass Seed for Lawn

Before you can grow a lush green lawn I recommend that you know what type of soil you have.  Grass seed is formulated to grow in specific soil types and if you want a lawn that will be admired by all then test your soil.  

combination lawn; sun and shade
Choose grass seed blend for combination lawn; sun and shade


I would recommend that you buy a soil test kit to check the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium pH levels.  I you can buy and inexpensive kit at amazon.com, or any garden center; Lowes and Home Depot also sell soil test kits.  


Know that if your soils pH is 6.0 to 7.0 then you are in good shape because you have the perfect soil for growing a lush green lawn.    When you know your pH level you will be able to shop for the right grass seed for your lawn. 

 


View this video to learn how to test your soil pH


Attribution: Lawn with sun and shade: http://mrg.bz/5a7gsg