Too much lime?
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sand Springs, OK
Posts: 77
Too much lime?
Well, about two weeks ago I spread 1200# of pelletized lime on my .75 acre plot. There was a big snow/ice storm predicted and I wanted to get the lime down before it hit. Everything went smoothly, but I got my soil report back from the extension yesterday and they said that my soil pH was already sitting at 6.5. If nothing else, I think that what I did just moved it a little closer to 7.0, but is it possible that it was too much?
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: west central wi USA
Posts: 2,238
RE: Too much lime?
Depending on soils, it takes a lot of lime to move, and keep, ph up. It probably won't hurt to have your ph a little above 7 . Basic soil does a better job of releasing nutrients.
#4
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Roanoke, VA
Posts: 730
RE: Too much lime?
Basic soil does a better job of releasing nutrients.
My soil has a high amount of Ca and is 7.3 ph and I have to add a lot of P for clover and alfalfa.
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 2,059
RE: Too much lime?
Here's a great chart to show how pH affects nutrient availability:
http://www.avocadosource.com/tools/FertCalc_files/pH.htm
In my area it affects the boron levels to the point that alfalfa doesn't grow well without borate additions.
Dan O.
http://www.avocadosource.com/tools/FertCalc_files/pH.htm
In my area it affects the boron levels to the point that alfalfa doesn't grow well without borate additions.
Dan O.
#6
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sand Springs, OK
Posts: 77
RE: Too much lime?
Well, I limed because everything I've read indicates that it takes 3-6 months to affect soil pH. I want to plant in March/April. Also, there was an ice/snow storm predicted and moisture has been hard to come by around here for quite some time. Didn't want to miss the opportunity for the melting to help leach the lime down into the soil. I've seen some charts that show how much lime per acre will affect pH in different types of soils, but now I can't find one. I'm pretty sure, though, that with my soil type it requires a ton per acre to bump pH .5 points. Basically, I got to excited to wait for the results to come back. Oh well, it's mainly an excuse to get out on the land after season's over with anyway.
#7
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NW Oklahoma
Posts: 1,166
RE: Too much lime?
I can almost guarantee you that you didn't put too much lime on. You probably don't need to put anymore on for a while, though.
I would love to have some 6 or 7 PH soil. Here the farmland has been farmed and fertilized so long, it's not uncommon to see PH in the 5 range.
I would love to have some 6 or 7 PH soil. Here the farmland has been farmed and fertilized so long, it's not uncommon to see PH in the 5 range.
#9
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location:
Posts: 65
RE: Too much lime?
look on your soil test and find a number that says CEC. If you give me this number I can come close to telling you what you probably moved your pH to. Personally, I hate to see anything over 6.7. 6.3 to 6.5 is more than adequate for all crops but alfalfa and you aren't going to be able to tell the difference even down to 5.8/6.0. I think the seed companies are kind of overdoing it and a lot of people are spending money unwisely. Don't get me wrong, if the soil needs it do it but the guidelines are kind of misleading.