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Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Which is faster acting, pellet limestone or powdered. Does anyone know of any other product which will help me raise the Ph in my soil over 8 to 10 weeks? Ph right now is 5.6.

Mark

3/11/2007 10:06:05 AM

Paradise Mountain, New York

Applying wood ashes also will raise soil pH. Wood ashes contain up to 70 percent calcium carbonate, as well as potassium, phosphorus, and many trace elements. Because it is powdery, wood ash is a fast-acting liming material. Be careful, a little goes a long way. Limit your application to 2 pounds per 100 square feet and only apply it every other year in a particular area.

3/11/2007 10:50:43 AM

Paradise Mountain, New York

To raise the pH of your soil by about one point:

In sandy soil: add 3 to 4 pounds of ground limestone per 100 square feet.
In loam (good garden soil): add 7 to 8 pounds per 100 square feet.
In heavy clay: add 8 to 10 pounds per 100 square feet.

3/11/2007 10:53:21 AM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Thanks Pumpkin brat,
Should this be older ashes (like from a pile that has been sitting a few years) or fresh?

3/11/2007 10:57:20 AM

Paradise Mountain, New York

Fresh would probably be easier to find and use. Being it would be nice and dry

3/11/2007 11:05:02 AM

Jericho Vermont

Mark,
From what I understand pelletized lime breaks down faster and is absorbed quicker into the soil. The pulzerized or powdery limestone is a slower release.
John

3/11/2007 4:50:59 PM

John is right on,,the particle size is smaller for producing pelletized lime.

Here I use calcified lime,,comes in pelletized form and adds the calcium I need while adjusting the pH.

Be very careful in the use of woodash very light apps are the best. There is no real data on how much is too much do to the variables involved. In excess it can take years to correct the problems it can create.

3/11/2007 5:18:29 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

Pelletized lime is an excellent source of high quality lime. Its use in agriculture has been limited due to the price. The recommended rate of pelletized lime should be based on the neutralizing value of the lime and will probably be about 75 to 80% of that for average-quality bulk ag lime. Contrary to popular belief, the speed of reaction of pelletized lime is no faster than that of bulk ag lime. Thus, when comparing the two materials, less pelletized lime is needed to raise the soil pH to the desired level, but the increase in pH is no faster than with ag lime if both are applied on the basis of their neutralizing values.

3/11/2007 7:03:52 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

How Fast Will Pelletized Lime React?

The speed of reaction (rate at which the lime will change the soil pH) is mainly a function of surface area of the lime particles and their contact with the soil. The finer the grind of lime, the more the surface area, and the faster the reaction. Since pelletized lime is pelleted from finely ground lime, it is easy to assume that it will be faster reacting than bulk spread ag lime which has some larger, non-reactive particles as a part of its composition. However, this is not true. Based on research from several states, it appears that the pelletized lime reacts no faster to raise the soil pH than good quality ag lime applied at recommended rates. In fact, incubation studies at Michigan State University found the pelletized lime to have a slower rate of reaction. Field research from other states indicate the rate of reaction is about equal to ag lime.

3/11/2007 7:05:12 PM

It's all good to copy and paste selected articles and study reports. Taken into account that they are "exactly" that. Selected articles,,,,,

The finer the grind the faster the incorporation into the soils. WI is one of the few states that has set standards for the grade in ag lime for farm appications specifically for just this reason. This adds to my thinking that the finer the grind the faster the reaction time.

Plus the much needed bonus of getting a more even spread on the selected area when using the pelletized form. Not to mention avoiding the dust inhalation problem that the ag lime offers.

3/11/2007 7:22:10 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Good words by Brian (PumpkinBrat).

I'll add this about limestone:

Hydrated is the fastest limestone to react but it is HOT! Use with caution!

Pelletized is usually the fastest (non-hydrated) lime since it is milled VERY finely before it is pelletized. The trouble here is that some pelletizers might cut corners to reduce cost. Buy only from reputable sources & be sure to read the label for the ENV & CCE.

Ground limestone only reacts at a rate determined by how finely it is ground.

Coarser granular lime can take many years to react with soil.

The trouble is that the longer & finer lime is ground, the harder it is to handle & the more it costs. This is why the better pelletized forms cost more. They are finely ground to where they are hard to spread but then a binder is added & it is formed into a spreadable pellet.

Try to image spreading talcum powder versus sand or a granular fertilizer. Can you see this image in your minds eye?

3/12/2007 2:18:36 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

ENV = Effective Neutralizing Value
CCE = Calcium Carbonate Equivalent

3/12/2007 2:19:57 AM