Figs prefer a soil that is slightly acidic to neutral, specifically within a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5. This range is considered ideal for their growth and health, according to cultivation guidelines.
Understanding Soil pH for Figs
Soil pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline your soil is, on a scale of 0 to 14. A pH of 7.0 is neutral, anything below 7.0 is acidic, and anything above 7.0 is alkaline.
Based on the provided reference:
- Preferred Range: "In ground and container grown figs prefer a soil with a pH in the range of 6.0-6.5."
- This range falls slightly below neutral, meaning figs thrive in slightly acidic conditions.
What if Soil is Too Acidic?
The reference also provides instruction for soil that is too acidic:
- Amendment for Acidic Soil: "If your native soil is acidic, amend the planting area with 1 cup of limestone dust prior to planting."
This instruction is key. Limestone dust is a common soil amendment used to increase (raise) soil pH, making it less acidic and closer to neutral or alkaline. The recommendation to add limestone to acidic soil indicates that figs do not thrive in strongly acidic conditions (likely below the 6.0-6.5 preferred range) and that the pH needs to be adjusted upwards for optimal growth.
Key Takeaway
While figs prefer a slightly acidic environment (pH 6.0-6.5), they do not perform well in soil that is simply categorized as "acidic" if it falls significantly below this preferred range and requires amendment. Therefore, it's more accurate to say figs like slightly acidic to neutral soil, rather than just "acidic" soil.
Keeping your soil within the 6.0-6.5 pH range is crucial for healthy fig trees.
