What weeds indicate soil Ph ?

[Baldy]

Hi all,
One of the old chaps on our plot puts down lime - I'm considering it as there is a fair bit of creeping buttercup on the site which I believe indicates an acidic soil? Now, I know I could/should buy a testing kit but I try not to spend money if I can help it... Am I right about buttercup liking acidic soil? I've a vague recollection that nettles also like acid.
What weeds would tend to indicate alkaline soil?

Pip pip,
Balders

[Greenleaves]

I might be wrong but docs i seem to recall like acid soil and chickweed alkaline......sure some who knows more will be along shortly

[mothhawk]

Yes, buttercups and daisies both like acid soil and you can really reduce their vigour and discourage their spread by adding lime.

I'm fairly sure that speedwell (veronica persica) must be alkaline loving, 'cos since I limed the lawn to get rid of the B's & D's I now have loads of it. (But I think it's very pretty so leave it to flower, then mow it )

[Gillykat]

My plot must be slightly alkaline then (must buy a testing kit on pay day!) as I had a fair bit of speedwell on the paths and chickweed EVERYWHERE last summer

[Nicos]

Not a UK site, but it's still an interesting read!

Look to the Weeds: Weeds as Soil Indicators

[Alison]

My site is definitely acid but I've still got tonnes of chickweed so I'm not sure it's that particular

[Nicos]

Same here Alison!

[muddled]

and here too!

Great link Nicos, seems I have very acidic, heavy clay that is regularly waterlogged.
Oh dear.

[Alison]

Not a UK site, but it's still an interesting read!

Look to the Weeds: Weeds as Soil Indicators

Don't know about all the article but it's incorrect re hydrangeas. They're blue in acid soil, not alkaline as it states.

[Nicos]

Well spotted Alison!
Someone made a boo boo there didn't they?

[mothhawk]

Don't know about all the article but it's incorrect re hydrangeas. They're blue in acid soil, not alkaline as it states.

I've always found that odd and confusing, since litmus paper turns red with acids and blue with alkalines. How do hydrangeas manage to do it the other way around, I wonder?

[Muddy_Boots]

I've always found that odd and confusing, since litmus paper turns red with acids and blue with alkalines. How do hydrangeas manage to do it the other way around, I wonder?

Ahhhh but mothhawk, is it the Litmus paper that's the wrong colour in acids or the Hydrangeas that are wrong????? Did the chemists get the colour wrong in the first place or was it a conspiracy to discredit the Hydrangeas!!!

[ChrissieG]

Got to know your weeds, as you say a very interesting read☺

[MickeyM]

Weeds indicative of acid soil

Hello. Some of the herbs that indicate acid soil are chickweed, plantain, nettle, equisetum.