Lime Fertilizer: How to Use.

For seasoned and first time gardeners overlooking the importance of lime fertilizer can make a huge impact on maintaining fertile soil, which in turn effects how successful your garden grows.

The acidity of the soil controls the availability of valuable nutrients to the growing crops.

One vital tool every gardener should use is a soil test kit. As an added bonus, reducing soil acidity helps deter weeds. Soil pH stands for ‘power of Hydrogen', which measures the concentration of hydrogen and acidity. The scale runs generally from 4.0, which is highly acid in soil terms, through 7.0, which is neutral, to 8.0, which is alkaline.

Breaking it down, if your soil is too acid then essential nutrients even if they are present will not be available to the plants. To lower soil acidity, you raise the pH by adding lime fertilizers.

Different soil types react differently to soil pH levels. For example, clay soils are harder to work the more acid they are. Clay soils usually become acid quicker than sandy soils and the amount of organic matter has an effect. Clay soils may also react slower to the addition of lime.

Most vegetables thrive when the soil is slightly acid with a pH level between 6.5 and 7. On the other hand, potatoes tend to prefer a lower pH and acidic soil. Broccoli and other members of the cabbage family prefer a slightly alkaline soil with a pH level of 7.0 or higher. For instance, a good gardening practice would be to apply lime in the autumn after raising potatoes, and before planting broccoli, which prefers a high pH.

You can buy various types of soil test kits. With one type, you simply take a soil sample, mix with water, and then compare the change to a color chart. An electronic meter may also be used which just requires inserting it into wet soil. Do not rely on the results of a single test. A number of garden spots should be tested to get a general overview of the soil acidity level.

Lime Fertilizers tips

Garden Lime is made out of crushed chalk or limestone. Not only does garden lime raise the pH, it provides trace nutrients and calcium to the crops. Recent experiments indicate soils benefit from the addition of trace nutrients. Dolomite lime has similar qualities to garden lime but dolomite contains a higher percentage of magnesium.

Quicklime is highly caustic and cannot be applied directly to the soil. Quicklime is spread around to absorb rain and form slaked fertilizer of lime , which is then spread on the soil. Organic growers prevent its use and although fast acting, the effects are short lived compared to garden lime.

How much is required of this fertilizer depends upon the type of soil and how high the pH needs to be raised. Use caution when applying, too much lime can raise the pH extremely high and alkaline soil is just as detrimental as an acid soil for affecting yield.

It is recommended to use lime fertilizer in the autumn and allow it over winter in the soil.

Do not add lime fertilizer when you have produce in the ground as it may damage the harvest. For growing vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, which prefer high levels of nitrogen and a high pH, add manure in the fall and lime can be applied in the early spring.

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