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the essentials in brief

• Garden lime(€ 9.70 at Amazon *) is basic and thus increases the pH value, which drives away acid-loving weeds such as moss or clover
• Garden lime is applied in spring or autumn
• There are plants that do not like lime, such as azaleas or rhododendrons, that like acidic soils and therefore cannot tolerate lime

What is garden lime?

Basically, lime is a form of the chemical element calcium (Ca), which is one of the most important mineral building blocks of humans, animals and plants. For example, bones and teeth consist to a large extent of calcium, while the mineral in plants is an elementary component of the cell walls.

In nature, calcium occurs in various types of rock and sediments, mostly in its form as calcium carbonate (CaCO3, also called carbonate of lime). This raw material is also the basis of most of them Lime fertilizer.(€ 9.70 at Amazon *) As a rule, lime is extracted from so-called lime deposits, which are sediment deposits from the ancient seas. Millions of years ago, the calcareous remains of marine life such as snails, mussels, crabs and others formed the basis of these rock layers. Limestone now makes up a large part of the earth's crust and serves as an important raw material for all kinds of uses in industry, home and garden.

Garden lime against moss

Moss loves acidic soils. If you have a lot of moss in your lawn, this is a sure sign that your soil is acidic. Garden lime provides a remedy here, because it is alkaline and therefore increases the pH value in the soil. It is best to apply the lime in spring and work it into the ground with a scarifier. Scarifying also brings oxygen into the soil, which moss can't stand either.

What do you need garden lime for?

Every soil naturally has a different pH value, which is a measure of the amount of hydrogen present in the soil. The pH value is displayed on a scale between 0 and 14, with a neutral soil having a value of 7. Acid soils are below, alkaline (also called basic) above. Most plants thrive best with values ​​between 6 and 7, although there are of course also pronounced acid lovers (bog plants) or sand plants. The plants have their own preferences in this regard, which should be taken into account when choosing a location as well as fertilizing and liming.

However, the pH value of the soil is not static, but can be influenced both unfavorably and favorably. Mowing the lawn and harvesting the vegetable patch naturally lead to slow acidification, which must be counteracted by targeted liming. Over-fertilization of the soil with nitrogen-based fertilizers also leads to acidification. If the pH of the soil is too acid, this has many disadvantages for the plants:

• Availability of nutrients: Plants cannot absorb vital nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in acidic soil. There is growth inhibition.
• Activity of microorganisms: Bacteria and fungi cannot break down organic substances under acidic soil conditions, so that the nutrient cycle in the soil breaks down.
• Aluminum poisoning: At low pH values, aluminum dissolves, which restricts root growth and thus the availability of nutrients and water.

By liming you counteract acidification and thus deficiency symptoms.

When does the floor have to be limed?

Garden lime improves the soil and helps with acidity

Garden lime is an effective means of improving the soil, as it supplies the plants with calcium and also makes other nutrients available in the soil. At the same time, there is an increase in the pH value in the soil, so that you can counteract acidification by liming.

Advantages of garden lime:

• raises the pH of the soil and neutralizes acid
• supplies plants with lime
• improves the availability of nutrients
• improves the soil structure, creates fine crumbly soil
• this is important for the hold of the plants in the soil as well as for their nutrient uptake
• promotes the activity of soil organisms
• strengthens the resistance of plants to diseases
• makes the growth of many acid-loving weeds and mosses difficult

However, garden lime not only has advantages, but also tangible disadvantages. These occur with incorrect or excessive use of the agent and reverse the positive consequences of limescale in the opposite. An oversupply of lime also leads to a faster breakdown of the humus layer, which initially makes more nutrients available - but in the long run it leaches out the soil. It is not without reason that an old proverb says:

Digression

Not all plants like lime

When is the right time to apply lime?

Garden lime should be applied either in early spring or in autumn, with autumn being preferable. The slow-acting lime fertilizer then has enough time to develop its effect over the winter months. Finally, in spring you give your plants a starter fertilizer, which leads to healthier and faster growth due to the better availability. Never apply lime fertilizer at the same time as nitrogen fertilizers, as this will reduce the nitrogen content.

Notes on spreading lime

Apply the garden lime either hands-free or with the help of a special spreader. The latter helps to achieve a more even distribution over larger areas. Pay attention to a wide and even distribution, also these instructions should be followed:

• Liming on dry ground
• do not sprinkle over parts of the plant, but spread directly onto the ground
• Contact with parts of plants can cause burns on leaves etc. to lead
• work deeply into beds and borders
• Then water the lawn well

When and why one is Liming the lawn should (and when not) is clearly explained in this video:

Which lime fertilizers are there?

background

Composition of garden lime

Garden lime is available in stores under very different names, with more or less similar basic ingredients being hidden behind the various brand names. However, not every type of lime is suitable for every soil. The following table clearly shows which type of lime you should use on which soil:

Carbonate of lime

This is a lime fertilizer that is obtained from natural lime deposits. These include, for example:

• Chalk stone or chalk lime
• limestone
• Limestone marl
• Dolomite lime

These rocks consist mainly of calcium carbonate, which is also known as carbonate of lime. The ground limestone is particularly suitable for the garden, as it only dissolves slowly and therefore has a gentle and long-lasting effect. Dolomite lime is a type of lime that also contains magnesium and is therefore particularly suitable for plants with a higher magnesium content.

Algae lime

Algae lime is obtained from the dead deposits of red algae and is therefore also one of the natural types of lime. The agent contains around 70 percent calcium carbonate, up to ten percent magnesium and, in contrast to other lime fertilizers, other trace elements.

Limestone marl

This natural lime fertilizer contributes significantly to the improvement of sandy soils, as the clay it contains improves its storage capacity. With regular use, water and nutrients no longer “just run through”, but remain in the soil and can be absorbed by the plants. High-quality lime marl consists of 60 to 70 percent calcium carbonate and 30 to 40 percent clay.

Garden lime

Garden lime is not a type of rock, but the general name for various types of lime fertilizer. As a rule, it is ground natural lime with or without magnesium content. Sometimes garden lime also contains additives such as additional fertilizers or weed killers. Garden lime is difficult to dissolve, which is why its effect is slow and gentle.

Quick lime / unslaked lime

Quick lime resp. A few decades ago, unslaked lime (calcium oxide) was widely used in home gardens, but is now only found in agriculture. The substance can be mixed with water, where it reacts to form calcium hydroxide - the so-called slaked lime. Both forms take effect quickly, but are also highly aggressive. They corrode skin and mucous membranes, and improper use can cause serious damage to plants and the environment. These agents are absolutely not recommended for liming the garden!

Digression

Is there a difference between lawn lime and garden lime?

Test the lime content of the soil

For this reason, you should always check the pH value of your garden soil before applying a lime fertilizer. To do this, you can take soil samples and send them to a specialized laboratory (and at the same time receive precise fertilizer recommendations back), but you can also carry out the test at home. There are special limescale checker sets available from specialist retailers that you can use even without basic chemical knowledge. The disadvantage of home use, however, is that you do not need any fertilizers or fertilizers. Receive lime recommendations. Instead, you have to calculate the correct amount of lime yourself.

Pointer plants

Certain plants - so-called pointer plants - also give you a clear indication of whether your soil is more acidic or alkaline. These plants feel comfortable in very specific soil conditions and thus show the pH value at their location without any test. The following table lists some of the most common species in the home garden.

Deficiency symptoms are an indication of hyperacidity

Yellowed leaves, dried-up shoot tips or brownish spots on the pulp: All these deficiency symptoms often indicate over-acidification of the soil. But not only, because these phenomena also occur with waterlogging or waterlogging. general nutrient deficiency (e.g. B. due to insufficient fertilization).

Digression

Are rock flour and garden lime the same thing?

frequently asked Questions

Does lime also help against snails?

In fact, a ring of carbonate or lime can be used. Garden lime around an endangered plant protect it from voracious nudibranchs. The animals generally avoid crawling over what is for them sharp-edged and drying out material.

Is lime actually toxic to dogs?

Do not let your pets - not only dogs, but also cats and rodents such as guinea pigs, rabbits and turtles - over freshly limed ground or Running lawn. The agent may have a caustic effect and can lead to injuries. If whitewashed grass is eaten, poisoning is very likely, especially in small animals.