To lime my vegetable garden or not...

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
chilihead29 Jefferson, OH Apr 26, 2017

I typically lime my garden in the fall to sweeten the soil. we have mostly clay here in ohio--but over 18 yrs now, the soil is very amended with compost. I have tested at times, but usually not--and I have mostly good results with plants. I do find black cankers at times on peppers and tomatos--not rampant though. would appreciate any opinions on whether to lime or not. not going to get crazy with testing. would do this if my garden didnt produce year after year---but it does ok. are the black cankers from an imbalance of one nutrient? cant remember-does lime increase or decrease the soil ph..someone recommended I use fast acting lime in spring..what do you all think??? Chilihead29

Post #10290111
Quote
MaypopLaurel Cleveland,GA/Atlanta, GA(Zone 7b) Apr 26, 2017

Don't lime without testing. We are in clay, on a granite mountain and surrounded with hardwood trees, all contributers to acid soils. Very surprised when my testing showed a 7.2 pH. That is at the upper limit of alkalinity for vegetables. I had been limeing with slow acting at a low spread rate in spring so it had been almost a year. The lower the number the more acid the soil. Vegetables prefer soil on the acid side. 6.5 pH is the ideal target. I won't be liming this year and don't use fast acting lime. It can burn certain sensitive seed, like beans. If you do need lime, extension services suggest spreading in fall.

Post #10290122
Quote
chilihead29 Jefferson, OH Apr 26, 2017

thanks for the info--plan to test as suggested and not lime unless needed.

Post #10290155
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Ask-a-Dave's-Gardener Threads

Go to all Ask-a-Dave's-Gardener threads
BACK TO TOP