Lime Time

It will soon be time to consider applying lime if your soil needs it.  The first step is to get a soil sample done.  It is useful to get more detail than just the normal P, K and pH analysis as more detail will allow you to better address any shortages of trace elements.  A detailed analysis will also allow you to identify which type of lime to use.  Soils that have high levels of Calcium may benefit from using Mag Lime which contains magnesium.

The target for arable soils is 6.7 pH unless sugar beet is being grown, in which case this can rise to 7 pH.  For grassland the target is 6.5 pH.

Lime is generally applied in a rotation every four to five years and should tie in with when you carry out soil analysis of the field.  The target pH levels above are higher than the optimum to allow for some drop off during the four to five year rotation.

The table below gives a rough guide to rates of lime required according to pH in tonnes per hectare:

If applying more than 5 tonnes per hectare then apply as split dressings over two years.  To discuss this further and for help with soil nutrition or soil sampling, contact Phil Cooper on 07798 673665 or e-mail pcooper@fcgagric.com