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Grittyville, WA

I thought there were some insights worth considering...

https://www.gardenrant.com/?guest_post=please-stop-liming-your-soil-based-on-the-ph

1/7/2019 5:07:39 AM

Bethlehem CT

Interesting article but the title is a little misleading, They really aren't saying to stop liming but rather tp be cognizant that dolomitic limestone contains Mg and you could be adding too much of it if your only goal is to reach a pH of 7.
Around here you are hard pressed to find any limestone that isn't dolomitic. Ironically most of are soils in CT (and New England) tend to be very acidic and low in Calcium but perhaps not quite as low in magnesium. As an example say you start out with a soil that has a pH of 5, then you add dolomite to try and reach a pH of 7. You will have over-applied Mg. So perhaps you would be better off getting your pH to 6 and leaving it be at 6. Or else you would have to switch to calcitic lime (which doesn't contain any Mg) to get you the rest of the way to 7.

1/7/2019 9:27:39 AM

Bethlehem CT

When I was in college I took an applied soil science class and I remember the professor saying this; "If you remember one thing from this class, remember this, don't over-lime."
Over liming is not a problem that can be quickly or easily rectified. It's much easier to get something into a soil than get it out!

1/7/2019 9:52:27 AM