Do you know how acid or alkaline your soil is?
3 Minute Read
It is important to know the balance as acid soil can inhibit nutrient uptake for plants. A simple pH test will help you determine the acidity.A simple pH test will help you determine the acidity and, if you have acid soil, adding lime will help reduce acidity. One clue you have a high-acid soil is if rhododendrons and camellias thrive, but it is best to take a simple test to be sure. DIY kits are widely available and spring is a good time to test.
What is my soil type?
pH 7.0 is neutral. Above pH 7.0, indicates alkaline soil and below pH 7.0, the soil is acid.
The active ingredient in garden lime is calcium carbonate.
Ground limestone is easy to spread, widely offered in garden centres and is the recommended liming material for gardeners. It is easy to spread and can be used for vegetables, perennials and lawns.
Types of Garden lime
Ground limestone is the most common type for general garden use.
Calcified seaweed and ground chalk are alternative forms of calcium carbonate for use in gardens. Dolomite Lime, or Ground magnesian limestone, is rich in magnesium carbonate as well as calcium carbonate and is used to supplement soils lacking in this important nutrient.
Hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide), often used in the construction trade, can also be used but it is a fine powder and can irritate skin and eyes if not handled carefully.
pH 7.0 is neutral. Above pH 7.0, indicates alkaline soil and below pH 7.0, the soil is acid.
The active ingredient in garden lime is calcium carbonate.
Ground limestone is easy to spread, widely offered in garden centres and is the recommended liming material for gardeners. It is easy to spread and can be used for vegetables, perennials and lawns.
Types of Garden lime
Ground limestone is the most common type for general garden use.
Calcified seaweed and ground chalk are alternative forms of calcium carbonate for use in gardens. Dolomite Lime, or Ground magnesian limestone, is rich in magnesium carbonate as well as calcium carbonate and is used to supplement soils lacking in this important nutrient.
Hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide), often used in the construction trade, can also be used but it is a fine powder and can irritate skin and eyes if not handled carefully.
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