Lime

[totp]

Do any of you lime your veg plots? What are the pros and cons? I understand it's not a good idea where you are going to put potatoes. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Rosefriend]

Interesting question Totp.

I have never had an allotment or a garden big enough to allow me to use a part for veg but I do know that lime should always be applied in autumn and only when the ph range is under 6.5.

I hope that someone else can help you more.

RF

[andy]

Not too sure about spuds but i know that a fair few veggies like a slightly alkaline soil....this is especially true with members of the Brassica family as it prevents club root. I read the other day that most root veg also appreciate an alkaline soil. Personally, unless you have very acidic soil, i wouldn't bother although this is my first year growing veg so someone more experienced might be able to give more advice.

[Tig]

There is some advice in one of my books, just need to find it. Must admit that my plots haven't been limed, they are only small in comparison to an allotment though. It is an autumn treatment as RF says, also you are not supposed to fertilise limed soil as there is some contra-reaction (evidently)

I recently read that adding lime to clay 'soil' helps break it down, improves the structure in such a way that it dries out slower and without cracking. I'll come back with more if I find the right book

[Chuckles]

Not something I've ever had the need to do with only growing in a small back garden. I know is it should added in winter as a preperation, I would think you need to allow several weeks before planting too or you will burn the roots and foliage of the plants

[jean]

Spuds hate lime I use lime on the beds that I prepare for the brassicas but thats it. The only sure way of finding out if the soil needs lime in general is to test the soil with a kit or send it away for testing.