lime

[bridget mc laughlin]

How much lime is enough for cabbages , sprouts and broccli

[Snadger]

A neutral soil of about 7ph would be good methinks. Most of the rest of the vegetable kingdom apart from brassicas seem to thrive on a slightly acid 6.5ph
As to how much lime to add? to do it right you'd need to do a soil analysis to see what the present ph is and amend accordingly!

[Paulottie]

I have seen it used to look like it has snowed! But I apply a general dressing on preparation and then a little in each hole on planting, We have sandy and slightly acid soil here anyway...just the sort of loam that gets club root! I don't think you can really overdo it but don't apply at the same time as manure.

[moggssue]

I was having the same thought bridget! If I can add another question, once you've limed for brassicas and then practice crop rotation, what effect will the lime have on subsequent crops?

[Flummery]

I've got limy soil. I don't lime. Can't decide if I'm being sensible or a cheap-skate!

[Paulottie]

Lime is not to good for roots, particularly potatoes, as it can cause scab. Should be ok by the next year though. It does help with improving soil fertility by allowing the take up of nutrients but should not be applied at the same time as the manure.(reaction can cause root scorching). No Flum you should not need to lime if you have chalky soil anyway.

Traditional rotation is:

1. crop of onions, leaf, beans and curcubits, corn etc... prep with manure.
2. crop of brassicas....prep with lime
3. crop of roots...don't add anything except blood fish and bone.

I sometimes add chicken manure pellets later as a boost during brassica season, Strictly it is in the same season but It does not seem to have an adverse affect. and definitely helps green them up.

[Snadger]

I was having the same thought bridget! If I can add another question, once you've limed for brassicas and then practice crop rotation, what effect will the lime have on subsequent crops?

If you practice a four year rotation you will only add lime to one area each year. Lime is short lived and quickly leaches from the soil so the follow on crops won't be affected!

[moggssue]

Thanks Snadger! I was hoping that would be the reply, now I know I can safely go add a little lime to my brassica bed.

[slugcrusher]

I have access to loads of woodash due to OH having chiminea which he lights most evenings -sits under gazebo if raining!

Can I use this instead of lime? -really need to reduce the ash mountain before some-one puts a flag on the top!