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Ontario

So, one thing a ton of people have said is to PH water. We mainly use rain water (as much as we can) so its not a huge limiting factor here, but I tested rain water at ~6.3, and well water at ~8.1.
Now what? What do I do with this information? Obviously a bit of PH down once I get to using ground water in later summer months, but do I have to PH up if my rain is in the 6s? How precise should I try to adjust to? What number should I try to adjust to? Does that number change depending what it feed it?
Sorry for all the question, I just dont really know anything about it.

[Last edit: 04/18/26 3:04:20 PM]

4/18/2026 2:42:37 PM

Grittyville, WA

There's a lot I do not know also, but I've never heard anyone talk about modifying rain water. I've heard it is optimal. It sounds like you have an easy cost-nothing solution though if you were to mix some well water with rain water you could easily arrive at 6.5 or 7.0 if you thought that would give an advantage. I'm not sure it would.

4/18/2026 4:01:08 PM

New England

Your well water is very high,mine is 6.99. Should look into that first :-) Although a cal mag surplus right so....I'd mix it too as whatever is causing high alkaline will be diluted

4/18/2026 7:48:40 PM

whats your soil ph

4/18/2026 8:50:31 PM

Ontario

Not sure i understand what you're saying about the call mag surplus, would that acidify my water?
Soil PH is down to 6.5 (started at 7 a few years ago I think)

4/19/2026 8:24:12 AM

New England

Sorry, I was just noting that "hard water" usually causes a buildup in pipes for calcium and magnesium deposits because those minerals are not easily dissolved by water with high ph so they buffer along side it and said deposits buildup over time. New guy(me) should just shut up and observe :-)

4/19/2026 3:31:09 PM

Grittyville, WA

Are carbonates an issue in your water/ soil? I'm no expert, just something I started looking into recently.

4/19/2026 5:56:55 PM

Ontario

There is a decent amount of minerals in the water, a lot of iron, but yeah, we get calcium buildup too.
As far as I understand carbonates aren't an "issue" but never tested them... how would I know if theyre an issue? Would that be something else to test for in a soil test?

4/19/2026 6:13:44 PM

Grittyville, WA

Some soil tests do calcium carbonate, others will do other bicarbonates...? I ordered a salinity saturated paste test and it comes with HCO3 bicarbonate. I dont think it's an issue for most soil or irrigation water. But arid environments can become saline, and it might be an issue, or in other areas where there are high salts? I know so little about it, you can do a little research and instantly know more than me. I've just switched soil and climate zones so I'm trying to figure this stuff out.

[Last edit: 04/20/26 12:57:38 AM]

4/20/2026 12:56:52 AM

Watlington, UK

If your rainwater is pH 6.3 I would leave it as that it will be fine. If you're using well water you need to get that pH down to 7.2 or less. The best acids to use are sulphuric or nitric. Phosphoric will cause lockup through adverse reactions, citric doesn't last long, hydrochloric is toxic.

4/21/2026 5:30:56 PM