When applying lime to the soil, make certain you spread it uniformly. Lime material is insoluble and essentially stays where you put it, either on the soil surface or at the depth to which you till the soil. Overlapped areas are as bad as skipped areas, so be certain you get uniform coverage at the suggested application rate. Very often the best coverage is achieved by applying one half the recommended amount in one direction and the remainder at a right angle. Since most liming materials are light-colored, you can see what area has been treated.
Lime begins to react with the soil as soon as it is applied.
The reaction, however, is slower than that obtained with most fertilizer materials. A single application of lime should be effective for three to four years. It is important to remember that this is a dynamic process and at the pH may vary from test to test after lime is applied. Liming materials come in a variety of forms, each with its own value and potential problems. Lime is available as calcitic lime, dolomitic lime, burned lime, hydrated lime, and pelletized lime.