Homestead mailing list

["Robert Walton" <waltonrp AT gmail.com>]

> Are you going to lime a pasture or your garden?
>
Thanks to everyone on the replies. I'm looking at the "cation anion
connection" in another tab right now. Think that means clay soil needs
more lime, at least in a basic way.

I had my soil tested a few years ago and never did anything based on
that test. This is about 10 acres, divided into 3 areas. The ph was
between 5.2 and 5.4 depending on the field. The basic recommendation
was to add 2 tons to the acre of lime.

I had that done today. Big expense. 7 acres or so is pasture and the
other, I tilled in the spring and cover cropped. Then the drought hit
and I just let the goats graze off the weeds, etc.I'll disk that up
and plant another cover crop this fall.

I really just want to hit the soil with some lime and see where I am
in spring. The soil needs manure, compost, any additions, but I'm
going to have to do that one small area at a time unless I hit the
manure lottery.

I'm excited about the liming. IMO, getting the ph in check will help a
lot in turning this land around.

Rob - Va