Create healthy gardens with mulch and lime.
Incorporating lime into the soil of a garden bed lowers the acidity of soil, as well as furnishing and promoting the availability of plant nutrients. The addition of organic mulch, such as a thick compost, further improves the soil condition. The lime and mulch increase bacterial activity in the soil and create a porous soil structure. This allows for air circulation and a soil rich in nutrients. Incorporate lime and mulch into flower beds, allowing plants to grow under proper soil conditions.
Instructions
1. Till garden beds in early spring to prepare them for planting. Use a hoe, shovel, hand or electric tiller to dig deeply, turning and breaking up the soil. Dig down about a foot.
2. Enrich the soil with a light compost or strawy manure. Work it into the soil well.
3. Contact a County Extension office to obtain a soil test with sampling instructions. The results will indicate the degree of acidity, helping you determine the amount of lime required. More lime is required in soils high in silt and clay, and less is required in loamy, sandy soils.
4. Apply a layer of agriculture lime, otherwise known as ground limestone, to the soil. Follow the instructions provided to determine the correct amount to use according to the garden size and soil acidity. Use a spreader to evenly distribute the lime over the surface of the soil. Some types of lime are pelleted and are available at garden centers. Pelleted limes go through a spreader more easily.
5. Apply a layer of thick organic compost over the lime. Work it in together with a rake. Cover planting areas with black plastic or salt hay until you are ready to plant.
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