Lime Spreading
Lime Spreading
The process of liming garden soil involves raising the soil's pH level, effectively reducing its acidity. When soil is excessively acidic, plants are unable to access the essential nutrients they require. Moreover, highly acidic soils may contain toxic levels of substances like aluminum, which can be detrimental to plant health.
For annual crops like vegetables, lime is typically applied during the winter, just before digging. This timing allows the lime to take effect during the winter months without harming young plant growth.
However, when preparing to plant perennial species such as lawns, shrubs, fruit trees, or other long-term plants, it's advisable to apply lime if the soil is acidic. To determine the appropriate amount of lime needed, it's essential to assess your soil's pH level.
Lime applied to the surface, particularly around established plants that have been in their current location for two or three years with well-developed root systems, may take years to yield noticeable effects. Therefore, it's crucial to make pH adjustments before planting or sowing.
Soil pH is a measure of its acidity or alkalinity, expressed on a scale from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 indicates neutrality, while lower values signify acidic soil and higher values indicate alkaline soil. Most plants thrive within specific pH ranges, so understanding your soil's pH is valuable. Convenient soil testing kits are readily available in garden centers and online, making it easy to assess and adjust the pH before planting or sowing.
