Low PH

[vipermanz]

What's the quickest way to bring up a PH level of 5.0 to 6.5?, Anything faster than calcic or dolomitic limestone??:confused:

[HBFOXJr]

Nothing fast, you just gotta start.

[LawnLad]

Vipermanz - lime takes about 3 to 4 months for lime to adjust or effect the soil pH. The lower the pH reading, the more acidic the soil - expotentially. Therefore according to calcualtions you might figure you need 150 lbs of lime per 1,000 sq ft. However, you can't practically add this much lime all at once. Do not go over 40 to 50 lbs per 1,000 in one application. By math, this would mean you have to do three applications. Knowing that it takes 3 to 4 months to incorporate itself, and you don't want to put lime and fert down at the same time, you really have a two to three year process practically speaking to adjust a very low pH to appropriate levels.

Bottom line, pH is no quick fix. Bringing a pH down with sulfur is even more difficult/time consuming. Be patient - and don't expect over night miracles.

[KirbysLawn]

Exactly what lawnLad said.

[Commander]

Hi, I might not know all that much (being new to this site and all) but what about a product such as slaked lime, or burnt lime? Be careful though as these products are caustic (hungry for water) and may damage your skin.

[vipermanz]

i guess i'll start lime on it in about 2 weeks when spring starts up:) applying it every 6 weeks until i get close to neutral

[65hoss]

How do you know what the PH is? Did you have a soil test done? Do you have a GOOD tester?

[Commander]

LawnLad, just how do you figure that it will take 150 lbs of lime per M to raise the pH to 6.5 from 5.0? According to my books it should only take 70.3 lbs per M to do the trick. If you wanna figure in for burned or hydrated lime then it should only be around (3) 10 lb apps.

[LawnLad]

For the sake of giving an example, I pulled numbers out of my b#$%. We use the recommended rate that appears on the soil test report for each property. They have a chart for how much life per acre/square foot to apply depending on current pH level and what the desired pH level is. Sorry to mislead.

We currently use CLC Labs in Columbus for our soil testing. 614-888-1663 or clclabs@aol.com

[vipermanz]

Originally posted by 65hoss
How do you know what the PH is? Did you have a soil test done? Do you have a GOOD tester?

Eric, i bought a testing kit .

[65hoss]

Good. Take your time, don't look for quick results. Remember, the soil didn't get that way overnight, and it will not get fixed overnight either. If you can aerate and then put the lime down you will help get it worked into the soil better.

[vipermanz]

i was going to aerate and then apply the lime in hopes that it would go down deeper, i also plan to put some gypsum out in hopes that it will break up some clay and help neutralize some of the natural acids in the clay



thanks for the help!!!!!!!!!!:)