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It’s a good idea to test your soil — a survey of heavy metals, nutrients, minerals and pH levels costs less than $200 — and consider all the options for repairing it, soil scientists said.

Some plants, such as blueberries, azaleas and camellias, prefer acidic soils, i.e., soils with a pH below 7.

Once the pH levels get above 8, however, plant growth suffers because the roots can’t get the nutrients they need to survive.

In our tests, two yards had pH readings of 8.06 and 8.16; five others had alkalinity ranging from 7.70 to 7.98.

The best remedy for high pH, Wallace said, is to add gypsum to your soil and avoid things that can make the soil more alkaline, such as crushed concrete.