odd limestone question

[BroadRipple]

A year ago I couldn't have BEGUN to imagine the lengths I'd go to to feed my titchy urban garden:
wee, hair and tiny fluff-balls in the compost
comfrey ripped out of nearby wall
nettles painfully gathered from local park
pockets full of seaweed from beach
coffee grounds begged from sandwich shop...
honestly, it's a mania. now I'm about to spend a few days on a stone-carving beginners' course, yep, long story, and have suddenly wondered...is there summat in them there piles of limestone dust?
i.e. if I gather it up (ignoring the mockery of my fellow students) can I use it to lime my soil, or will it be the wrong kind of lime? anyone? anyone?
and...any ideas for something garden-related I could carve?

[veggiechicken]

That course sounds fantastic, BR. I have no idea about the limestone but I would want to make either a giant fossil - like an ammonite, or a bird bath type bowl that looked like a flower head.

[taff]

i don't know but good luck with the course

[VirginVegGrower]

That course sounds fantastic, BR. I have no idea about the limestone but I would want to make either a giant fossil - like an ammonite, or a bird bath type bowl that looked like a flower head.

You should go to Robin Hoods Bay and get a real one!

[veggiechicken]

You should go to Robin Hoods Bay and get a real one!

A bird bath???

[Florence Fennel]

Funny how it kind of takes over your life isn't it BR? Good luck with your course, it sounds really interesting.

[dod]

yes, if you add it to your soil it will buffer it against acidity, and may raise the pH over the longer term

[Potstubsdustbins]

Unless you know the PH of your soil adding lime could be either benificial or detrimental. Check first.

Colin

[solway cropper]

Agree with Colin about checking the pH first before adding any lime. Limestone dust will be relatively slow acting so if your soil needs it get it bagged up and applied when there are no crops growing.

[Paulottie]

Limestone is not quite the same, nor as alkaline, as hydrated, slaked or garden lime...even chalk. I doubt it will drastically affect PH. Maybe avoid blueberries?

It is an excellent idea to add it as a long term fertilizer...many trace minerals. Calcium is also important in the take up of nitrogen.

[BroadRipple]

aha so it might be more useful as a general mineral-adder, is that right? i hadn't realised it worked like that, thanks for info. and in that case, maybe better in the compost bin than directly added, do you think?
and, while we're on the subject of Random Soil Additions, any knowledge of kaolin?

[taff]

used for kitty litter, shouldnt be a problem on the garden unless you put lots of it on clay soil.