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Western PA

Hello all, I just received my soil test back and I need to make some corrections to the soil, I know I prob. should of done this in the fall but time did not permit. I would greatly appreciate some advice on making adjustments!

---SOIL TEST RESULTS----
PH: 6.0

Exchangeable Cations (meq/100g)
Acidity 6.3
k: 0.5
Mg: 1.3
Ca: 6.5
CEC 14.5 this one has a small #4 to the left of it.
There is a small #2 to the upper left hand side of the K,mg,& ca. So I imagine that mean Squared...

%Saturation of the CEC

k: 3.2
Mg: 8.8
Ca: 44.7

OM: was not tested for, but I imagine it is low.

My patch is about 1300sq ft. I currently have a cover crop of winter rye growing on it (The rye is about 4 or 5 inches).

Now I know I need to apply lime asap, The soil report suggested Calcitic Limestone 11lb per 100sq ft. Does this sound right??

I purchased some Calcitic limestone, it is very finely ground like a powder, is this what I should use?

Can I apply the lime and water it in so my cover crop continues to grow or should i scratch the cover crop and get the lime tilled in?

I am also trying to secure a source of aged horse manure right now which I plan on adding.

Once again, your help and Information is greatly appreciated Thanks a lot!!

3/7/2009 5:22:36 PM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

Picker....You are right on getting some compost or composted manure in this spring if possible.

Yes, u need the lime and I would agree with the amount, but it does need to be tilled in and mixed well to get a proper reaction, however you can lay on top of the Rye and till later. you may burn the Rye with all that lime, but you havn't got anything to loose.

If the material you got is "hydrated Lime" (also called white wash lime)which is bright white and very dusty, this is not the right stuff.The material you have may be fine as long as it is not Hydrated Lime. If you go to a feed store and ask for feed grade lime stone (sometimes called B grade lime), this stuff will work quite well. It is a very fine grey granular material.

3/7/2009 5:33:03 PM

Western PA

CountyKid, Thanks for the response. The Lime I have is "Granular calcitic limestone" It does not say anything about being Hydrated. I believe the company that makes it is promix. Yes, it is very finely milled and is a grayish color.

Why is Hydrated lime bad?

I know it varies alot on how long it takes to adjust the PH level by what product you use, how it is applied and I'm sure there are a bunch of other factors that I don't know of... If I where To use the "Granular calcitic limestone" and apply it on top of my cover crop and water in asap. then Till it in about 8 inches deep when i till in my cover crop about 4 weeks before planting do you think this is a good plan?? I know it is hard to estimate, but how long do you think it would take to adjust the ph level up?

Also any other advice on soil corrections would be appreciated.

Thank you for the time and information!!

3/8/2009 7:19:03 PM