Liming an Acid Soil

Those with acid soils are not always content, especially when they are vegetable growers. Most crops grow best in neutral soils and brassicas (the cabbage family) prefer a slightly alkaline soil.

Once you have carried out a test to determine pH, an acid soil can be gradually neutralized by adding crushed limestone, but not quicklime, as this is too caustic and could scorch plants. Liming can be done at any time, except when manure is being added. This is because lime reacts with nitrogen in the manure, releasing ammonia, which could damage plants. Most gardeners build additions of lime into their crop rotation program, spreading it during winter digging, so it can be well) incorporated and will have time to take effect before brassica crops are sown or planted. You should be scientific about lime application. To a pH of 5.5, add 5 oz lime per square yard on sandy soil, 7 oz on loam, and 10 oz on clay. To a pH of 6, add 4 oz on sand, 6 oz on loam, and 8 oz on clay. In reality, most gardeners use guesswork and simply sprinkle a dressing of I lime on the soil they are digging, or fork lime into the surface. Regular pH checks to assess the outcome are important. Wood ash will also increase pH.

When adding lime, as with any fertilizer, keep an old pair of scales for weighing, use gloves, and apply on a still day, using goggles to protect your eyes.