Wet agricultural lime is often chosen over its cousin, pelletized lime, due to cost-cutting measures and its ability to dissolve faster. Still, effectively applying it can prove to be just as challenging unless you have a few tips in mind.
1. Plan Ahead
Agricultural lime takes time to affect the soil. If you need the lime to improve your soil for your next round of crops, it’s best to apply the lime at least six months before you start seeding. The most effective time to apply lime is before it rains. The water will help the lime penetrate the soil more deeply.
2. Schedule Regular Maintenance
Over time, the lime levels in your soil will decrease, once again changing your soil’s pH. How often you’ll need to re-lime your fields depends on what kind of soil you have, but generally, it will be every few years.
3. Till When Possible
Generally, tilling the soil once you spread the lime is the best way to fully incorporate it into the ground. However, the lime can disperse itself over time, so long as it does not get displaced by rain, snow or wind first.
4. Consider Existing Plants
While you’ll want to ensure your layering is as even as possible across the areas you’ll be planting, there are some places you may want to skip altogether, including locations where you already have plants that thrive in more acidic soils. If you keep any of these plants in your fields, be sure to avoid them when spreading lime:
- Azaleas
- Blueberries
- Dogwood trees
- Ferns
- Holly
- Oak trees
5. Monitor pH Levels Often
Knowing when to reapply lime requires insight. Testing the soil at regular intervals is the best way to ensure you’re doing the proper maintenance. Your soil’s pH levels can vary drastically due to outside influences, like pollution, fertilizers, the weather and how the surrounding land is used. Anticipating how your soil will react can tell you exactly how often you’ll need to reapply lime in the future.
Benefits of Spreading Wet Agricultural Lime
Many farmers choose wet agricultural lime application because it:
- Is cost-effective: Wet lime is much cheaper than pelletized lime, and with an all-purpose spreader like the Sides Spreader, you can give your fields an even coat that starts dissolving almost immediately.
- Balances nutrient levels: Wet lime can reduce iron and manganese levels while boosting calcium and magnesium. This effect creates ideal soil levels for many crops.
How to Apply Agricultural Lime
The best way for your crop to succeed is to spread an even layer of agricultural lime over the field, and the Sides Spreader can make sure that happens. The Sides Spreader is more convenient and much faster than spreading lime by hand, providing you with an easy option for initial application and respreading. When you need the best, most efficient tools to keep your crops thriving, learn more about the Sides Spreader and how we can get it on your land as soon as possible.
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Give us a call at 877-733-3464 or fill out our contact form to find out what we can do to help you save money and time. We provide instant service by having team members available for phone calls at any hour of the day. We’d love to hear from you.
