[Goosegirl]

Is it just your brassicas that look sickly or all veg? If other plot holders use lime on their sites, it sounds like lime is what you need. Clay soils tend to be - is yours clay? If the pH test confirms acidity, then I would lime your brassica area unless pH test shows alkalinity - if so, a re-think. As for fruit, don't lime your respberries - they like it a bit acidic.

[goodtogrow]

Hydrated lime from builders' merchants answers one of your questions, gypsy.

Agree with Salmo about applying science but practicality gets in the way.  Much of what we do is based on guesswork.  I'd prefer to see it as deductive reasoning:

Unless the soil is skewed towards alkalinity 8 years of cropping must lead to a depletion of lime reserves, to the point that growth is adversely affected.

Lime is too important to run short of it.  It affects the whole chemistry and life of the soil.  We don't just add it for those plants whose take-up is greatest, because the soil needs it too.

JayG makes the point that everything we grow is tolerant of lime, to varying degrees, so the risk of our over-liming is slight if we apply in moderation.  My rate is 100grms/m2.  Annually.  Everywhere.  Spud beds included.  On a neutral soil.

Tom

[gypsy]

Thanks for your help folks.

[gypsy]

Would my lawn like some lime or should I leave it alone?

[Yorkie]

I wouldn't bother unless you've done a decent soil pH test and know for sure that it is really acidic.