Soil is an integral part of plant life. It provides the nutrients that plants need to grow, and it can even be used to provide a natural form of pest control. But what if your soil doesn’t have enough PPM for healthy plant growth? Fortunately, there are many ways you can test your soil’s levels of PPM in order to find out.
Table of Content
What is TDS/PPM?
What is a ppm? If your soil lacks the right PPM for healthy plant growth, you can fix that by adding fertilizer. With this in mind, it’s important to first understand what PPM means and how it works. In short, ppm stands for “parts per million.” It refers to the amount of material found within one million parts of something else. For example, ppm can refer to the concentration of one chemical component in a million parts of soil. This then tells you how much fertilizer your soil needs to meet optimal plant growth requirements.
What is TDS/EC? PPM can be used as an indicator for measuring nutrient levels within your soil. However, it’s not the only factor you need to consider. TDS (total dissolved solids) and EC (electrical conductivity) are two other important measurements that can help determine whether your plants will thrive or suffer in any given environment.
The Importance of Measuring TDS/PPM for Growing
Water absorbs nutrients through its roots, which then get transported throughout plant cells for use during photosynthesis. If the water contains a low level of nutrients, the plant will not be able to absorb them and grow as normal.
PPM meter is used as an indicator for measuring nutrient levels within your soil. However, it’s not the only factor you need to consider. TDS (total dissolved solids) and EC (electrical conductivity) are two other important measurements that can help determine whether your plants will thrive or suffer in any given environment.
How to Measure TDS and PPM for Healthy Plant Growth
There are several types of TDS and PPM meters on the market, but not all can perform their intended function. A good device should be able to measure EC as well as ppm levels in your water or soil. The TDS and PPM meter should be able to display measurements for both of these figures on a single screen.
If you plan to use your device regularly, make sure it has an automatic temperature compensation feature built-in. This will ensure accurate readings no matter what the weather is like outside or how warm/humid the environment may be inside.
Why is it Important to Know the PPM of Your Tap Water?
Failing to properly check ppm in the soil can result in under- or overfed plants. This is because the correct balance of nutrients must be present, based on the pH level. While tap water contains low levels of minerals and salts, it also includes chlorine which kills beneficial bacteria that are needed for plant growth. For this reason, knowing your tap water PPM is a crucial first step to feeding your plants.
The ppm of tap water varies depending on location and season, so it’s important to regularly check the levels. If you have well water, this means going out into the field with an electric conductivity meter or testing strips from a home test kit.
