[rowlandwells]

as I've asked this question to others without an answer i thought i would ask some of our experienced lottie growers on this site agricultural lime or brown lime as i call it i see many farmers are having agricultural lime spread on the land before sowing winter crops does anyone know if brown lime is sold for garden use and is it better than the white lime i always use the white lime i buy from my builders merchant

brown lime does seem  more of granular than white lime as the white lime is very fine i just wondered if there was any difference in the two limes maybe a cost difference also wood ash
i have found good results this year from using wood ash i suppose there is a good potash value in wood ash so any replies most welcome

[Yorkie]

The different types of lime have been discussed on here quite a few times.  I suggest you try a search and see which posts come up.

They mentioned wood ash on Gardeners World this evening, both as a source of potash and to increase the alkalinity / reduce acidity.

[Salmo]

Agricultural lime is ground limestone or chalk and is what is sold in garden centres as garden lime.

White lime is hydrated lime. Limestone is heated to make quicklime and then slaked by adding water. Its chemical composition is the same as limestone but because it is so fine it is more available and acts more quickly than ground lime. Because it is so fine it blows in the wind and can be unpleasant in the eyes. Farmers use it if they have to increase the pH quickly. For instance, to rescue a crop that is not growing because the soil is acid.

White lime is probably the most effective lime to put into the hole when planting out brassicas to reduce the effects of clubroot.

If you are just using lime to keep the soil sweet ground limestone is better because it will act over a longer period.

Although ground limestone is cheaper for the farmer because there is no processing involved beyond grinding it up. You may find that white lime from a builders merchant is cheaper than garden lime in garden centres. Some builders lime has other additives so read the label.

You can also get magnesium limestone (sometimes called dolomite limestone).This contains some magnesium and is useful if you see magnesium defficiency in your crops.

[rowlandwells]

 hi all thanks for your replies that was a very detailed reply salmo and i think from what your saying i will continue to use the hydrated lime it seems the best option for me i know my father in law used lime very frequently when sowing seed and on the ground when plant setting 

it may be a good idea to check the PH levels on the lottie for next year?

thank again