{
  "crops": [
    {
      "name": "Lettuce",
      "optimal_ph_range": {
        "min": 6.0,
        "max": 6.8,
        "ideal": 6.5
      },
      "soil_types": [
        "sandy loam",
        "loam"
      ],
      "amendments": {
        "if_too_acidic": "Add garden lime or crushed eggshells",
        "if_too_alkaline": "Add organic matter like composted pine needles"
      },
      "system_compatibility": [
        "hydroponics",
        "vertical farming",
        "microgreens"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Spinach",
      "optimal_ph_range": {
        "min": 6.0,
        "max": 7.5,
        "ideal": 6.8
      },
      "soil_types": [
        "loam",
        "sandy loam"
      ],
      "amendments": {
        "if_too_acidic": "Add garden lime",
        "if_too_alkaline": "Add pine bark or sulfur"
      },
      "system_compatibility": [
        "hydroponics",
        "vertical farming",
        "microgreens"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Basil",
      "optimal_ph_range": {
        "min": 5.5,
        "max": 6.5,
        "ideal": 6.0
      },
      "soil_types": [
        "loam",
        "sandy loam"
      ],
      "amendments": {
        "if_too_acidic": "Add garden lime",
        "if_too_alkaline": "Add organic matter, peat moss"
      },
      "system_compatibility": [
        "hydroponics",
        "vertical farming",
        "microgreens",
        "aeroponics"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Tomatoes",
      "optimal_ph_range": {
        "min": 5.8,
        "max": 7.0,
        "ideal": 6.3
      },
      "soil_types": [
        "loam",
        "sandy loam"
      ],
      "amendments": {
        "if_too_acidic": "Add garden lime or wood ash",
        "if_too_alkaline": "Add compost, peat moss, or sulfur"
      },
      "system_compatibility": [
        "hydroponics",
        "vertical farming",
        "container gardening"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Strawberries",
      "optimal_ph_range": {
        "min": 5.5,
        "max": 6.5,
        "ideal": 6.0
      },
      "soil_types": [
        "sandy loam",
        "loam"
      ],
      "amendments": {
        "if_too_acidic": "Add garden lime",
        "if_too_alkaline": "Add sulfur or pine bark"
      },
      "system_compatibility": [
        "hydroponics",
        "vertical farming",
        "container gardening"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Mint",
      "optimal_ph_range": {
        "min": 6.0,
        "max": 7.5,
        "ideal": 7.0
      },
      "soil_types": [
        "loam",
        "clay loam"
      ],
      "amendments": {
        "if_too_acidic": "Add garden lime",
        "if_too_alkaline": "Add peat moss or composted oak leaves"
      },
      "system_compatibility": [
        "hydroponics",
        "vertical farming",
        "container gardening"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Bell Peppers",
      "optimal_ph_range": {
        "min": 5.8,
        "max": 6.8,
        "ideal": 6.3
      },
      "soil_types": [
        "loam",
        "sandy loam"
      ],
      "amendments": {
        "if_too_acidic": "Add garden lime",
        "if_too_alkaline": "Add peat moss or sulfur"
      },
      "system_compatibility": [
        "hydroponics",
        "vertical farming",
        "container gardening"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Cilantro",
      "optimal_ph_range": {
        "min": 6.2,
        "max": 6.8,
        "ideal": 6.5
      },
      "soil_types": [
        "loam",
        "sandy loam"
      ],
      "amendments": {
        "if_too_acidic": "Add garden lime",
        "if_too_alkaline": "Add compost or peat moss"
      },
      "system_compatibility": [
        "hydroponics",
        "vertical farming",
        "microgreens"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Microgreens (Mixed)",
      "optimal_ph_range": {
        "min": 5.5,
        "max": 6.5,
        "ideal": 6.0
      },
      "soil_types": [
        "sandy loam",
        "growing medium"
      ],
      "amendments": {
        "if_too_acidic": "Use balanced growing medium",
        "if_too_alkaline": "Use peat-based growing medium"
      },
      "system_compatibility": [
        "microgreens",
        "shallow trays"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Kale",
      "optimal_ph_range": {
        "min": 6.0,
        "max": 7.5,
        "ideal": 6.5
      },
      "soil_types": [
        "loam",
        "clay loam"
      ],
      "amendments": {
        "if_too_acidic": "Add garden lime",
        "if_too_alkaline": "Add compost or pine needles"
      },
      "system_compatibility": [
        "hydroponics",
        "vertical farming",
        "microgreens",
        "container gardening"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "soil_types": {
    "sandy": {
      "characteristics": "Drains quickly, warms up faster, low nutrient retention",
      "suitable_crops": ["Carrots", "Radishes", "Potatoes"],
      "challenges": "Requires more frequent watering and fertilization"
    },
    "clay": {
      "characteristics": "Holds water, drains slowly, high nutrient retention",
      "suitable_crops": ["Leafy greens", "Cabbage", "Broccoli"],
      "challenges": "Can become compacted, may have drainage issues"
    },
    "loam": {
      "characteristics": "Balanced drainage and water retention, fertile",
      "suitable_crops": ["Most crops", "Tomatoes", "Peppers", "Cucumbers"],
      "challenges": "Maintaining organic matter content over time"
    },
    "sandy loam": {
      "characteristics": "Good drainage with moderate water retention",
      "suitable_crops": ["Most vegetables", "Herbs", "Strawberries"],
      "challenges": "May require additional organic matter"
    },
    "clay loam": {
      "characteristics": "Good nutrient retention with improved drainage",
      "suitable_crops": ["Leafy greens", "Brassicas", "Beans"],
      "challenges": "Monitoring moisture levels to prevent waterlogging"
    },
    "growing medium": {
      "characteristics": "Soilless, tailored to crop needs, sterile",
      "suitable_crops": ["Microgreens", "Hydroponic crops", "Seedlings"],
      "challenges": "Requires careful nutrient management"
    }
  },
  "ph_adjustment": {
    "too_acidic": [
      {"amendment": "Garden lime (calcium carbonate)", "effect": "Raises pH", "application": "1-2 kg per 10 sq.m"},
      {"amendment": "Wood ash", "effect": "Raises pH and adds potassium", "application": "1 kg per 10 sq.m"},
      {"amendment": "Dolomite lime", "effect": "Raises pH and adds magnesium", "application": "1 kg per 10 sq.m"}
    ],
    "too_alkaline": [
      {"amendment": "Sulfur", "effect": "Lowers pH slowly", "application": "200-300g per 10 sq.m"},
      {"amendment": "Pine needles/bark", "effect": "Lowers pH gradually and adds organic matter", "application": "2-3 kg per 10 sq.m"},
      {"amendment": "Peat moss", "effect": "Lowers pH and improves water retention", "application": "2-3 kg per 10 sq.m"}
    ]
  }
}