[Buzzy bee]

Hi

Is it ok to use builders hyrated lime on the garden, I know it is finer, but does it do the same job?

Cheers

Dave

[oldbean]

I don't think so. Agricultural lime is crushed chalk AFIK, whereas builders lime is hydrated lime, and is relatively active.

[Buzzy bee]

Hi

Thats a shame as I have a plentiful supply of that, that needs using up.  Will have to raid the lime on the farm then!  hehe

Cheers

Dave

[8doubles]

I think hydrated lime can be used in small amounts to 'sweeten' soil. Quicklime is the nasty one that cooks organic material.

Ps i hope i`m right i`ve been using it (sparingly)

[WARDDRU]

Use half the amount when using Hydrated lime. Does not stay in the soil as long as agricultural lime, but is cheaper and more readily available.

Quick Lime is a no no and I think outlawed.

The huge piles you see in farmers fields is usually hydrated lime they have got cheaply.

            Regards Wardy

[oldbean]

The huge piles you see in farmers fields is usually hydrated lime they have got cheaply.

Are you sure? It's more complicated than you think. If farmers bought only hydrated lime, manufacturers wouldn't bother with a specialised product.

[Buzzy bee]

Hi

So am I safe in putting a little hydrated lime on the plot?  Or do I need to get some garden lime?  Don't want to wreck it before I start!  hehe

Cheers

Dave

[8doubles]

If you google hydralime plus you can see some trial results from canada so the answer is yes.

I think agricultural lime is far cheaper to produce than hydrated , but remember it it easier to add a bit more than it is to take excess out , PH test kit at the ready ?.

[Salmo]

You can use builders hydrated lime but read the packet because some has additives to make mortar work better. Be very careful when using hydrated lime as the fine powder will blow about and is not nice in your eyes. Spreading it is like throwing talcum powder.

Hydrated lime is quick lime that has had water added, hence hydrated. Quick lime is limestone that has been heated to red  heat.

Hydrated lime is a very fine powder and is quickly available in the soil. It is usually only used in agriculture/horticulture to correct a soil problem when a crop is showing signs of acidity.

The heaps of lime sometimes seen in farmers fields awaiting spreading is usually ground limestone. Ground limestone is cheap and nuturalises acidity in the soil quite slowly. It should be applied in the Autumn so that by Spring it has done its work.

[Salmo]

Garden lime is usually ground limestone or ground chalk. Sometimes you will find ground magnesium limestome (also called dolomite limestone) which contains some magnesium and is very useful on light soils where magnesium defficiency is common.