Why sprinkle the soil at your dacha with lime in the fall?

Autumn, after the harvest, is the best time to prepare the garden soil for the next season. It's dug, weeded, fertilized, and green manure is planted. If the soil is highly acidic, it is essential to add lime, the purpose of which is to ensure good growth and increase the fertility of crops.

The purpose of adding limestone

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Liming is necessary To improve the structure of soil acidified by hydrogen ions, calcium-containing fertilizers are used for this purpose. This micronutrient plays a role in soil formation, increases crop yields, and improves nutrient uptake by crops. It also participates in a number of reactions:

• intracellular and intercellular metabolism of cultures;
• enrichment of soil with micro- and macroelements;
• loosening the soil;
• improved aeration;
• reproduction and functioning of microorganisms.

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Table: Lime fertilizers

Fluffy fertilizer is best for increasing pH. It works much faster than other fertilizers and is suitable for vegetables with a short growing season, such as cucumbers, zucchini, and tomatoes.

There are two types of lime: quicklime and slaked lime. The difference is that quicklime is calcium oxide, while slaked lime is calcium hydroxide.

In the garden, slaked powder is more convenient to use because it can be spread evenly over the area without forming lumps. To obtain it, mix the oxide with water at a rate of 500 ml per kilogram of substance. This process generates heat. After the mixture dries, it is ground into a powder and applied as directed.

The fertilizer only begins to work after mixing with the soil, so it should be scattered when digging or plowing the plot. The time between harvest and the onset of frost is sufficient for the lime to activate. The process will be in full swing during winter, and by spring, the soil's pH will normalize and the soil will be enriched with micronutrients.

In spring, liming is only permissible for highly acidic soils where seedlings are not planned. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in the roots of the seedlings being burned.

How to calculate concentration

The amount of fertilizer is determined based on the type and nature of the soil: the denser the soil, the higher the concentration of fertilizer required. Alkalization of the soil is carried out every 2-4 years to prevent excess calcium from building up in the soil.

Table: Recommended lime dosages for different soil types

You can determine the acidity of a soil using a pH meter or litmus paper. If neither is available, lime deficiency can be determined by looking at:

1. White-gray crust.
2. The depressions are filled with rusty liquid with brown sediment, and there is a rainbow film.
3. Rapid propagation of plants with strong roots (dandelion, mullein, horsetail).

If the garden has a lot of different types of clover, nettles, and abundant quinoa, the pH is neutral. The area doesn't need calcium fertilization.

You can also test the pH of the soil by adding a small amount of vinegar to a handful of soil from the area. Bubbling indicates a neutral or alkaline pH—the soil does not need liming. If there is no reaction, the soil is acidic.

Table: Required pH levels for garden and horticultural crops

The procedure for adding lime

The powder should be scattered over the garden, then dug or tilled with a cultivator. The fertilizer is not applied all at once, but in stages. The initial application is made after determining the soil's reaction. Repeat this application after 2-4 years. If the soil is unevenly acidified, additional application will be necessary in the beds where alkaline-loving plants are planned.

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Some gardeners use quicklime. First, they sprinkle the mixture over the area. Then, they spray it generously with water. After 25 minutes, enough time for the lime to form, they dig up the beds.

To treat acidic soil in a greenhouse, use bleach. Dissolve 800 g of powder in 20 liters of water and let it steep for 5 hours, stirring occasionally. Then let it sit for another 3-5 hours and then spray the soil and walls with a spray bottle.

Liming is a mandatory step when preparing your garden for the new season. A thorough soil analysis and careful application are essential. If done correctly, the soil will be restored, and your plants will enjoy a bountiful harvest.