I am not a big fan of checking the pH in my own garden as I know that most soils in my area are naturally acidic. I can tell this because my hydrangeas flower blue. It is important to check if you are growing a commercial crop and need top production values from your soil. Most home gardeners will do just fine by adding compost and fertilizer to improve their soil. The pH of your soil should not be that different from one area to another unless you are creating your own soil or bringing in topsoil. If your plants are growing well I would not worry about the soil pH. Most plants adapt to a wide range of soil acidity. Rhododendrons, azaleas and may evergreens prefer a soil that is slightly acid. I have heard that the hand held meters that measure pH are accurate so use them if you are curious. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti