Fall is an excellent time of the year to apply lime for both lawns and ornamentals. For those of us living on the western side of the Cascades, and to keep our plants in optimum condition, we may need to add lime to the soil. How do we know if we need to add lime? A simple soil test can give us that information.
The Wilco Soil Test Kit is an ideal tool for a home gardener to get an idea of the pH of the soil as well as what nutrients may need to be added. The phrase pH is often used with regard to soil and in garden terminology, it is a figure that expresses the acidity or alkalinity of soil based on a scale where 7 is neutral. Lower numbers indicate acidity and higher numbers indicate alkalinity.
Wilco, Premium Soil Test Kit
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Most garden plants and lawns, like a soil pH between 6.5 and 7. There are exceptions with blueberries being a good example of a group of plants that performs best in acidic soils. If in doubt, check with your local extension office. Soils on the western side of the Cascades, are generally going to be acidic. Often our soils can become too acid for optimum plant growth and the addition of lime can help correct this problem.
A fall application of lime allows time for it to react and change the soil pH for the following spring growing season. The fall season is also selected because it is usually the beginning of the rainy season and without contact with water, lime will not begin to work. If rain does not follow a lime application, the area should be irrigated. For garden plants, either using a trowel or hand cultivator to blend the lime into the top 1-2 inches of soil is a benefit.
Radius, Dig Trowel
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Many home gardeners have learned that prilled lime is easier to handle and spread than powdered versions of lime which has a consistency of flour. Calpril Lime is a good example of a prilled lime. Prilled lime is simply powdered limestone that has been constituted into small granules that are held together with a binding agent. The binding agent used in Capril is highly water-soluble and when the granules come into contact with water, the small particles are released into the soil.
Wilco, Prilled Lime
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Calpril Lime, 25 lb.
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Prilled lime is also easy to use in a drop spreader. Directions on the bag will give information as to the quantity to apply. Also, if you use a Wilco Soil Test Kit, the summary that is mailed back will indicate how much lime to use. For garden plants, the summary may indicate a certain amount of lime per a certain number of square feet. A general guideline is that one cup equals approximately one pound. Any unused lime should be kept in the original container and in a dry location.
Scotts Turf Builder Classic Drop Accugreen 3000 Drop Spreader
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The addition of adding lime to lawns and/or garden plants should not be considered as applying a fertilizer. A regular fertilization program should be continued. Lime is not a fertilizer.
If your plants are not looking as robust and healthy as they should, get a soil test and if needed, add the appropriate amount of lime. If rain is not expected, water the area so that the lime can begin to do its job. The results from a soil test will also give information as to whether there are certain nutrients that may be lacking. Generally, a fertilizer application for most plants is more effective in the spring when they are growing. Taking care of some of these chores in the fall will result in healthier plants in the spring.
MIKE’S GARDEN IS LOCATED IN OREGON’S WILLAMETTE VALLEY AND HIS ADVICE IS CONSISTENT WITH THE MILD CLIMATE THERE.
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