Why Add Lime to a Garden?
Ground, powdered limestone is a soil amendment that raises soil pH. Low pH or acidic soil reduces the availability of key plant nutrients and raises the uptake of metallic micronutrients. Most garden plants require a neutral to basic soil. Does this Spark an idea?
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Soil pH
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The pH measurement scale ranges from acidic to basic, and is expressed in numbers from 0 to 14. Seven is neutral, and most soils fall between 4 and 9. Conduct a simple soil test to determine your soil's pH and nutrient needs. Most plants grow best when the soil pH is between 5.8 and 7, so add lime if your soil tests below this range.
Acid Soils
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Several factors influence soil pH. Areas where granite and sandstone are prevalent tend to have acidic soil. High nitrogen fertilizers can lower soil pH, as can heavy rain or watering. To raise your soil pH by one point, you'll need between 4 and 24 ounces of lime per square yard. Use less lime if your soil is sandy and more if you have heavy clay soil.
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Buying Lime
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Garden lime is either ground and powdered or pelletized. Powdered lime is slower-acting and more difficult to apply than pelletized lime, but pelletized lime is more costly. Burned, hydrated or quick limes are more hazardous than garden or pelletized limes.
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