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Southern Illinois

I was wondering if anyone had any advice if/how much lime one might add to a large hole(about 3' by 3') that I plan to dig for each plant then fill back in with about half well composted cow manure and dirt. My existing soil is aleady fairly acidic(about5.8)Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

1/10/2005 7:39:04 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Without knowing the CEC & at pH 5.8 I'd add lime at 200 lbs per 1000 sq ft per foot of depth. Even that might not be enough to bring the pH to 7.0. But it will get you in the ball park until you can do another test in a few months & another one in a year.

Steve

1/11/2005 1:46:03 AM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

Is there any reason why one would not want to apply lime at the same time as manure? I keep reading this in the various gardening books over here.... I believe they say the lime makes some of the manure's Nitrogen disappear into the air or something like that....

1/11/2005 4:31:13 AM

Lexington, Ky

Many of the farmer/gardeners in my area apply lime/cow manure at the same time. Not sure but maybe it's a rolaid of sorts????

1/11/2005 12:35:53 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Farmers apply the lime to the manure to cut the smell.

1/11/2005 1:21:16 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Small amounts of the ammoniacal Nitrogen (what we smell) reacts with the carbonate & forms some harmless precipitate (name escapes me at the moment) & does indeed waste a miniscule amount of each. But don't be concerned. If this manure pit is going to support live plants in less than 3 months, there is little choice.

1/11/2005 5:33:44 PM