Rit's Garden

Rit's Garden Sharing my gardening journey. Tips, tricks and lots of plants.

Today we’re mixing a little chemistry with gardening, it’s easier (and more fun!) than you think! For those with a scien...
26/02/2025

Today we’re mixing a little chemistry with gardening, it’s easier (and more fun!) than you think!

For those with a science background, this might sound familiar, but don’t worry, I’ll explain it in the simplest way possible.

So, did you know you can test the pH of your soil at home using purple (red) cabbage? 🥬 Yes, your regular kitchen cabbage can help you check if your soil is acidic, neutral, or alkaline. But first, let’s break this down.

WHAT IS SOIL pH AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Think of pH as your soil’s “plant nutrition manager.” It’s a scale from 0–14 that tells you if your soil is acidic (like lemon juice), neutral (like water), or alkaline (like baking soda).

Plants are picky eaters! If the pH is too high or too low, they can’t absorb nutrients properly even if the soil is packed with goodness. For example:
- Blueberries love acidic soil (pH 4.5–5.5).
- Tomatoes prefer slightly acidic (6.0–6.8).
- Cabbage thrives in alkaline soil (7.0–8.0).

Testing your soil’s pH helps you give your plants their favorite “meals” and avoid unhappy, stunted growth.

WHAT IS A pH INDICATOR?
An indicator is like a color-changing detective. It reacts with acids or bases and shifts color to show the pH level. Red cabbage contains natural pigments called ANTHOCYANINS (the same stuff that makes blueberries blue!). These pigments change color depending on whether they’re mixed with something acidic, neutral, or alkaline making it a perfect DIY soil tester.

How to Test Your Soil pH at Home

1️⃣ Chop up some red(purple) cabbage leaves and boil them in water for 10 minutes.
2️⃣ Strain the liquid—you’ll get a purple-colored solution. Let it cool.
3️⃣ Take a soil sample and mix it with some distilled water.
4️⃣ Add some of the cabbage solution and stir. Now, watch for the color change!

Results & What They Mean

🎨 Pink/Red = Acidic soil (low pH, below 7)
🎨 Purple/Blue = Neutral soil (pH around 7)
🎨 Green/Yellow = Alkaline soil (high pH, above 7)

What's next you may be asking, I will be making another post on what to do.

Try this simple test and let me know your results! What color did you get? 🎨🌱

Happy testing 🧪⚗️👩🏿‍🔬

Broccoli: From seed to table 🥦100% organic home grown broccoli.There's something magical about growing your own food. It...
11/01/2025

Broccoli: From seed to table 🥦

100% organic home grown broccoli.

There's something magical about growing your own food. It’s not just about harvesting vegetables; it’s about nurturing life. Gardening is fun, therapeutic, and deeply satisfying. Why not try growing some of your vegetables at home? Start small—your garden, your rules. 🌱💚

24/12/2024

May this season bring you joy, love, and endless blessings. Merry Christmas from Rit’s Garden! 🌟🎄

One of the best things you can do for your health is to plant a few fruit trees at home. It saves you the hassle of find...
16/12/2024

One of the best things you can do for your health is to plant a few fruit trees at home. It saves you the hassle of finding fresh fruits and ensures you always have healthy options within reach.

I just harvested some soursop from my tree and plan to make a refreshing smoothie with fresh strawberries from my garden. Homegrown goodness at its best!

Today's harvest 😋
16/12/2024

Today's harvest 😋

Did you know you can grow okra at home—even in bags? 🌱 I just harvested these fresh from my garden this morning! It’s ea...
11/10/2024

Did you know you can grow okra at home—even in bags? 🌱 I just harvested these fresh from my garden this morning! It’s easier than you think, and there’s nothing like enjoying food you’ve grown yourself. Why not give it a try?

P.s: Personally, Okra plant has one of the most beautiful flowers 🤭

One thing I really love about having my home garden is the fact that I don't always have to do the mental gymnastics of ...
07/10/2024

One thing I really love about having my home garden is the fact that I don't always have to do the mental gymnastics of thinking of what to cook. This is because I have food growing at home.

I was thinking of what to cook and all I needed to do was harvest fresh water leaf and Ugu (fluted pumpkin). Don't you want that for yourself too?

Imagine this: You wake up in the morning, craving a delicious breakfast of fresh potatoes. Instead of heading to the mar...
04/10/2024

Imagine this: You wake up in the morning, craving a delicious breakfast of fresh potatoes. Instead of heading to the market, you grab your harvesting basket and take a stroll around your garden. With your basket in hand, you harvest fresh, homegrown sweet potatoes—whether it’s the vibrant orange-fleshed, the exotic oriental/japanese variety, or the classic white. But it doesn't stop there! You pick juicy tomatoes, spicy peppers, and aromatic herbs like rosemary, thyme, celery, and parsley to prepare a mouthwatering sauce. Now stop imagining, this isn’t just a dream; it’s my reality, and it can be yours too! All it takes is a little initiative to start growing something at home, no matter how small.
🌿 This is your sign to plant something today! What will you grow?

Ever thought about adding more greens to your meals? Growing your own lettuce at home is not only easy but also a great ...
03/10/2024

Ever thought about adding more greens to your meals? Growing your own lettuce at home is not only easy but also a great way to start eating healthier. Whether you have space in your garden or just a small container, lettuce doesn’t need much room, and it’s ready to harvest in about 45 days!

Unlike root crops like carrots, lettuce grows well in shallow containers and works perfectly in salads, sandwiches, or even as a fresh snack. Plus, by growing it yourself, you know exactly what goes into your plants—no guessing about the water or chemicals!





If you’ve ever wanted to grow your own veggies at home, carrots are a great place to start! They’re used in so many dish...
02/10/2024

If you’ve ever wanted to grow your own veggies at home, carrots are a great place to start! They’re used in so many dishes – from stir-fries to salads – and the best part is, they’re easy to grow even if you don’t have a lot of space. Here’s how I do it:

1. Get Good Seeds: Start with quality seeds. If you don’t have a garden, no worries – I grow mine in containers, and it works like a charm!

2. Use Deep Containers: Since carrots are root crops, they need depth. Make sure your container is deep, and the soil is loose and free of rocks or debris. Carrots need space to grow down, so avoid compact or heavy soil.

3. Go Organic with Compost: I like to keep things natural, so I mix my soil with compost instead of using chemical fertilizers. Before planting, I water the soil every day for about 3-5 days to let the compost settle in.

4. Planting: To plant, I make shallow lines (or ‘drills’) in the soil. Keep about 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) between rows and 2-3 cm (1 inch) between seeds. Cover the seeds lightly with soil and water them as needed, depending on the weather.

5. Harvest Time: Carrots take about 70-80 days to mature, but if you’re eager, you can harvest baby carrots in 50-60 days.

Whether you’re new to gardening or looking to add something fresh to your space, growing carrots is simple and rewarding. Give it a try, and let me know how it goes! 🌱🥕

Let’s talk about mulberries... 🍇You ever tasted something so sweet and wondered, ‘Can I grow this myself?’ Well, mulberr...
30/09/2024

Let’s talk about mulberries... 🍇

You ever tasted something so sweet and wondered, ‘Can I grow this myself?’ Well, mulberries are that fruit! They’re like nature’s little secret – easy to grow, super yummy, and packed with goodness. You don’t even need a big garden, just a small corner or a pot. Imagine plucking fresh mulberries right outside your door... Trust me, it’s the sweetest feeling! 🌱

Homegrown tomatoes in bags! It’s proof that anyone can start a little garden at home and enjoy fresh veggies. All it tak...
23/09/2024

Homegrown tomatoes in bags! It’s proof that anyone can start a little garden at home and enjoy fresh veggies. All it takes is a small space and some love for plants.
This is your sign to grow something at home no matter how little.

Need help with starting your home garden? Feel free to send a DM

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