Is the soil in zip 22039 acidic enough for Scottish heather Calluna or Erica carnea mountain heath?

[Anonymous]

I would like to cover a presently naked soil bare to the elements septic drain field on a slight hill with either groundcover Calluna vulgaris...maybe 'Foxii Nana" or with Erica carnea Mountain heath, IF the clay soil in zip 22039 is sufficiently acidic.

Does anyone know what the local-local soil pH between Routes 123 and 286 north of Burke Lake Road is?

How can a lay person reliably do this test? Would this be something a County Agricultural Agent would know, if urbanized Fairfax County has one?

Have been researching Calluna online. I also don't know how deep its roots go. It would seem reasonable that a plant that grows to about ten inches high would have roots that would not go deep.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

You can buy a soil test kit or send a sample out to a universal extension service.

[Anonymous]

pH can vary reasonably significantly acre to acre naturally, and thats not taking in to account past cultural practices of the land. Get a soil test. Its not hard or expensive, and will save you a lot of time and frustration.