Sandy soil tends to be acidic and lacks nutrients. While some plants thrive in this environment, many need a more neutral soil pH level to thrive. There are various ways to adjust your soil's pH level, one of the most common being lime. Will this product provide any benefits to your sandy soil? We've done the research and can tell you if you should add the lime or not.
Adding lime to your soil is ideal for adjusting its pH level, providing calcium and sometimes magnesium to plants, and increasing a plant's ability to absorb nutrients. If you've determined your soil is too acidic for proper plant growth, then adding lime can be a good solution for you.
Keep reading to discover when and how to apply lime to your soil and other interesting facts!
What Is Lime?
Agricultural lime is a mineral that is created by grinding limestone or chalk. The chemicals contained within the lime can vary depending on where the mineral was sourced. However, the primary active component in agricultural lime, also known as aglime, is calcium carbonate.
Variations of Lime
In gardening, the two most commonly used limes are agricultural lime and dolomitic lime. Agricultural lime can come in a powdered form or liquid form. The main difference between the fluid and crushed form is that liquid lime has a better purity. This higher pureness means that it could work more efficiently than regular agricultural lime can.
Dolomite lime is another form of soil additive. This type of lime contains calcium magnesium carbonate. So, it will provide similar benefits that agricultural lime does. However, dolomite lime provides both magnesium and calcium as opposed to just calcium.
Check out this 5-pound container of dolomite lime on Amazon.
Check out this 6.75-pound agricultural lime on Amazon.
Soil pH Level
Adding lime to soil used to be referred to as sweetening the soil. This nickname refers to the fact that alkaline soil is considered "sweet." So, when you're adding agricultural lime to the ground, you're making it more sweet or alkaline.
A soil's pH level is essential because it's a good indicator of the number of nutrients available. The acidity or alkalinity of soil is based on a 14 point scale.
If a soil has a pH level of seven, it is considered neutral. Anything lower than seven is considered acidic, while anything higher is alkaline. Most plants grow well in slightly acidic (6.5) to slightly alkaline (7.5) pH soil, but some thrive outside that range.
How To Test Your Soil
If your plants are having problems, there is a chance that your soil has a pH level problem. Testing your soil will be the best way to determine if you need to amend your soil.
You can test your soil with a few supplies you have at home. First, gather your ingredients: a soil sample, 1/2 cup vinegar, distilled water, and 1/2 cup baking soda. Combine a couple of tablespoons of soil and your vinegar in a cup or bowl. If your soil fizzes, then it's alkaline.
To test for acidity, first, soften two tablespoons of soil with distilled water. Then add your baking soda. If this combination fizzes, the soil is acidic.
Another method of testing soil is to buy a testing kit. There are a few different soil testing kits you can get, including one with a pronged meter. These meters can test for pH levels as well as other essential things. Some meters test for both sunlight amount and moisture level in the soil as well as pH level.
Check out this mail-in soil test kit on Amazon.
Check out this pronged pH meter on Amazon.
Another method is by test strips that you can do at home. The final way is to collect your dirt and then mail it in. This method will get you the most accurate results and in-depth information on your soil.
Check out this test strip pH test on Amazon.
Can You Add Too Much Lime?
Since adding lime to the soil changes the pH level, you can accidentally add in too much. An excessive amount of lime will create a more alkaline soil that has too much calcium in it. The high amounts of calcium will prevent plants from consuming magnesium and other essential nutrients.
How do you know if your soil needs lime?
If you want to avoid over-liming your soil, you need to know more about your soil. You should test your soil to discover its pH level and its soil composition. The most common types of soil are:
- Sandy soil
- Clay soil
- Silt soil
- Peat soil
- Chalk soil
- Loam soil
The type of soil is just as important to know as your pH level. Different types of soils have other characteristics. Water and nutrients tend to move quickly through sandy soil. This means you can use less lime because the lime is better able to saturate the soil. On the other hand, it takes more lime for clay soil because of how dense it is.
Once you've determined your soil type and your current pH level, you'll know if you need to add lime or not. The amount of lime will be different depending on your soil's test results. When you know how much lime to apply, make sure you don't use more than 50 pounds per 1,000 square feet at one time. Applying too much lime can shock your plants and damage them.
What type of soil do you add lime to?
Lime is an excellent addition to any soil that needs to become more alkaline. It isn't recommended for alkaline soil. If you need to adjust alkaline soil, then you can use sulfur or peat.
How much lime do I need for sandy soil?
The amount of lime you need will be determined by the size of the area, your soil type, and your soil's existing pH level. Sandy soil is light and dry. It has quick water drainage and is relatively easy to work with. Though it lacks nutrients, it typically takes fewer additives to correct this soil.
For example, if you have a garden that is 1000 square feet with sandy soil and a starting pH balance of 5.0, you'll need 41 pounds of lime to get a 6.5 pH level. However, the same garden with clay soil will need 150 pounds of lime to have a 6.5 pH level. Using an online calculator can make determining the amount of lime to use much easier for you.
How long does lime last in soil?
You can begin seeing the benefits of using lime within the first few months of applying it. However, the full effects of applying lime generally aren't seen for a few years. The additives still need time to react to the soil completely.
Determining how long the lime you added will last can be affected by a lot of different variables. The amount of lime used, which type of lime, cropping systems in place, and organic matter in soil can change how effective lime is. You should retest your soil every few years after applying lime to determine when and if you should apply more.
When should I put lime on my vegetable garden?
There are two ideal times to add lime to your garden: spring or fall. When you apply lime in the autumn months, you give the lime more time to break down and work into the soil. Remember, it can take anywhere from two to six months to first see the benefits of applying lime. You can use this delay to your advantage by applying it before the colder months arrive.
In Closing
Adding lime to sandy soil can help you add more calcium, improve water penetration, and raise the alkaline level of the soil. Whether or not you should add lime will be based on your current pH level and what plants you want to grow. If you're already at a good pH level, then you can skip out on this soil additive.
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Thank you for explaining that we can see the benefits of adding lime to the soil within the first few months. I know that it will take some time to get my large vegetable garden in the condition I am seeking, but am looking into adding some lime to help keep the garden healthy. I think it would be smart to consult a professional to help me determine exactly what I need to improve my soil.
Thank you for explaining how using lime takes a little while to see the results. My friend has been wondering about how her soil pH levels are doing. I’ll be sure to pass this on to her to see if she’ll need to use lime or not.