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Owensboro, Ky.

New grower from Kentucky and I need to raise my pH quite a bit to get into the correct range. Soil test recommended 100# plus per thousand square feet. I have heard of different kinds of lime...which is best to use and when should it be applied. All help appreciated.

1/20/2005 8:34:46 PM

Montoursville, PA

100 # will raise the PH about one and a half points when using granular, on 1000 sq. ft. Granular is slower and consequently safer, to use, and easier, to apply, in my opinon. Apply it anytime. Fall application would get your correction up by July of the year following. Spring application will maybe get you up half way by July and fully adjusted by October. If that is all they reccommended don't sweat it. Put it on, in the spring and test again in September or October for fall needs.

Based on what you have told us your PH reading must be about 5.5. Lots of nice big pumpkins have grown on PH 5.5 while I think we target excelent to be 6.5 - 7.2.

1/21/2005 10:22:30 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Arent there two types of lime...dolomitic and calcitic (not sure of names or spelling) Also to stir the pot a little...I am adding approx. 12 cu. yds. of compost from local landfill...pH of compost (I had it tested) is 7.6...how much should I reduce the recommendation to compensate for the higher pH of the compost? Thanks for the help...you were real close...the pH of the soil in the garden is 5.6.

1/21/2005 12:24:42 PM

Follansbee, Wv

Speaking from experience here. I had a pH of 4.9 in my garden the first year I had it tested. I used Dolomitic lime in a pulverized form. While the pH climbed to an acceptable level very quickly, the Mg skyrocketed. Unless you have a very low Mg, avoid the dolomitic and use calcitic in the pelletized form. The amount of soil you are prepping would be needed before I could tell you how much to offset the lime due to the compost. Maybe someone more knowledgable than I can help you there.

1/21/2005 4:41:43 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Use Dolomitic Limestone if the soil Magnesium is low.

Use Calcitic Limestone if the soil Magnesium is high.

Hydrated lime is very fast acting & can help but is hot & not for inexperienced applicators.

Pelletized Lime (Calcitic or Dolomitic) are the finest mills (usually) & work reasonable fast with no greater increase in risk. These would make a nice compromise between speed & safety for you.

1/21/2005 4:53:18 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

I knew there was something I was forgetting to tell to determine how much the compost would change things. My AG patch is approx. 25' X 75' or 1875 sq. ft. Does the lime need to be tilled in soon after application. Thanks for the help.

1/21/2005 5:42:44 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

From what I read gypsum will leach but Lime needs to be incorporated...but wait till you hear from the guys who really know.

1/21/2005 5:57:30 PM

Leamington, Ont.

Lime should be incorporated into the soil, then thoroughly watered. Lime is very ineffective when dry

1/23/2005 1:13:25 PM

Montoursville, PA

Compost when in the finished state settles on a PH of about 7.0.

I would not be concerned what so ever about ample use of compost that is nearing that level already. You may till it right in this spring or use it as a light mulch...or both.

I like to lightly till in the compost into the top two to three inches along with my cover crop. Then as the plant grows I like to use a modest mulch of ground up leaves over all.

2/13/2005 9:36:41 AM