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  • From: Michael O'Connor <oldsudbury AT gmail.com>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] lime powder application
  • Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2011 08:21:32 -0400

Question for Bill Shoemaker: I have read how a small amount of Boron can help
access available calcium in the soil. How much boron for 2 tons an acre and
how can we acquire and apply it? (20 mule team borox)?

Bill Shoemaker is one of the main reasons I read this list. Always has
something pertinent to say.

Michael O'Connor
oldsudbury AT gmail.com






On Mar 20, 2011, at 11:01 AM, Bill Shoemaker wrote:

> To really make even minimal pH adjustments you need to apply lime in terms
> of tons per acre. If you can have someone haul quarried lime fines to your
> site, then have someone with a real lime spreader apply it, bite the bullet
> and put it one at 2 tons/acre. You can have impact and not worry about it
> for a few years. It'll surely be more economical than purchasing it by the
> 50 lb bag.
>
> Using dolomitic lime when you already have high Mg sounds like a bad idea.
> But we have the same situation. Farmers used to buy lime from 100 miles
> south because it was calcitic lime. But it turned out the benefit was
> minimal, not worth the extra cost. It just didn't change the ratio of
> available Mg to K and Ca, even in the long term. The best way to address
> high Mg content in soil is to manage K fertility carefully, applying fresh
> potash or another K source annually to keep high levels of available K. You
> might want to see if you can find a land-grant soil scientist who know's
> your region to get some guidance.
>
> Bill
>
> ---- Original message ----
>> Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2011 06:30:32 -0700
>> From: Vern and Amy <vaspencer AT sisna.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Market-farming] lime powder application
>> To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
>>
>> We have about 5 acres of mixed veggies and 50 acres of hay/pasture
>> to adjust pH. I guess I should contact other farmers around here to
>> find out how they do it. The only pelletized lime I have found is
>> Dolomite, and I already have plenty of Mg, which I think dolomite adds
>> to. The local farm store doesn't even carry lime, except dolomite. Our
>> area is not very agricultural anymore--not the best place to grow (soil
>> and weather). I might have to check with folks 50 miles out of town.
>> Any other input is welcome. Thanks.
>>
>> Vern
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> William H Shoemaker, UI-Crop Sciences
> Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops
> St Charles Horticulture Research Center
> 535 Randall Road St Charles, IL 60174
> 630-584-7254; FAX-584-4610
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