Which is best, lime dust or lime granules

[Derrick Hughes]

This?

View attachment 884820

How much does that cost

 

[Cab-over Pete]

The labs use pH probes to measure soil pH but they test the soil in solution which is very different from putting the probe directly into soil.

I’ve used the SoilStik both straight on the soil, ensuring it’s moistened, and in a solution and it reads just the same.

 

[e3120]

It says a NV of 30% but the top document says “lime equivalent “ 53%.
Not heard that before and I’m assuming it leads to about a 15%NV.

Yeah, that may be deliberate confusion. As it's foc, no problem putting double dose on.

The lime is added somewhere in the process, impossible to tell partical size, but nothing gritty detectable.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

If it’s actually in the paper end product it must be incredibly fine ground.

 

[ollie989898]

If it’s actually in the paper end product it must be incredibly fine ground.

Maybe they use lime in the production of paper or something. Wouldn't surprise me.

 

[Boohoo]

Paper sludge is alright, the worms like it- you will see funny coloured worm casts for ages after.

Never knew it had a neutralising value, but logically I can see it would contain a lot of calcium.

If worms like it so much why does it never go away? I've ploughed it up years after it was spread and ploughed down. There's something sticky about it too, it never really dries out. Awful stuff.

 

[ollie989898]

If worms like it so much why does it never go away? I've ploughed it up years after it was spread and ploughed down. There's something sticky about it too, it never really dries out. Awful stuff.

It's full of carbon and bugger all nitrogen, so it can't rot that fast. It's organic matter and the soil will consume it over time.

Ploughing it down probably won't help matters as there is less oxygen available down there. If you think about it, where does nature leave all the leaf litter and debris? On the surface, where there is plenty of air and plenty of bugs to get at it.

 

[e3120]

It's full of carbon and bugger all nitrogen, so it can't rot that fast. It's organic matter and the soil will consume it over time.

Ploughing it down probably won't help matters as there is less oxygen available down there. If you think about it, where does nature leave all the leaf litter and debris? On the surface, where there is plenty of air and plenty of bugs to get at it.

Yeah, I agree. If my system suited it, makes sense to leave on top. Without wanting to poke the bears, there are members who would lead this into a bacteria v fungi discussion.

 

[Boohoo]

It's full of carbon and bugger all nitrogen, so it can't rot that fast. It's organic matter and the soil will consume it over time.

Ploughing it down probably won't help matters as there is less oxygen available down there. If you think about it, where does nature leave all the leaf litter and debris? On the surface, where there is plenty of air and plenty of bugs to get at it.

It was mostly spread on grass around here so no choice but to plough it down. I'm sure it's 20 years since it was done and I'd say most of it is still there. I'm glad the paper mill is now a shopping centre.

 

[e3120]

It was mostly spread on grass around here so no choice but to plough it down. I'm sure it's 20 years since it was done and I'd say most of it is still there. I'm glad the paper mill is now a shopping centre.

Interesting. My first year of it is in the muck heap. Maybe they'll still be cursing it when making a hole to put me in.

 

[ollie989898]

Yeah, I agree. If my system suited it, makes sense to leave on top. Without wanting to poke the bears, there are members who would lead this into a bacteria v fungi discussion.

I don't have any banner in a fungi or bacteria fight, I just think that we should probably copy what nature does.

 

[ollie989898]

Interesting. My first year of it is in the muck heap. Maybe they'll still be cursing it when making a hole to put me in.

In theory if it is mixed with manure there will be more nitrogen around so easier for something to eat.

 

[Boohoo]

Interesting. My first year of it is in the muck heap. Maybe they'll still be cursing it when making a hole to put me in.

Hopefully not. Maybe it'll be better when spread with muck or maybe it'll be different stuff to what was spread around here.

 

[e3120]

In theory if it is mixed with manure there will be more nitrogen around so easier for something to eat.

That's the thinking. It's only a small proportion of the bedding, it's 'mucky muck' so plenty N v C, and I've been blending in gypsum too, to add Ca, S and maybe workability.

 

[ollie989898]

That's the thinking. It's only a small proportion of the bedding, it's 'mucky muck' so plenty N v C, and I've been blending in gypsum too, to add Ca, S and maybe workability.

Easier to spread accurately if blended I guess. No dust either.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Sounds some good stuff.

 

[e3120]

Hopefully not. Maybe it'll be better when spread with muck or maybe it'll be different stuff to what was spread around here.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

What sort of rate does that go on at? And what does it supply in terms of nutrients/ha?

 

[e3120]

What sort of rate does that go on at? And what does it supply in terms of nutrients/ha?

Their deployment for straight spreading depends on soil analysis, but order of 10t/Ha I think I heard. I would be a lot less than that via muck, but was considering topping up.

 

[e3120]

Nutrients as above. Little other than carbon and lime.