Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-11-11
Pros andCOns
On theUse
Of Lime
Ground Type Mild,
Will Not Injure
Young Plants

In the spring and again In the
fall we often see home gardeners
sprinkling their lawns and gardens
with lime. In some cases lime is
needed, while in others it is a ritual,
Lime is not fertilizer. It is a con-
ditioner, and as such it should be
used much as people use soda to
counteract an acid stomach.
The soils of this region are natu-
rally acid, but that doesn't mean
that many plants will not grow in
them, for they do Plants as
whole are quite tolerant and will
thrive in soils varying from alkaline
to highly acid. Most plants, how
ever, make their best growth in n
soil having reaction approx
mately the same as they enjoy in
their native habitat. The rhodo-
dendrons are native to deep mois.
woods where the soil is very acid
Lilacs, on the other hand, are native
to sweet soils.
The term PHI is used to express
the measure of acidity or alkalinitv
OF soils. 10 is neutral and values
above that indicate the degree of
alkaInity, while lower values indi-
cate the degree of acidity. Ex-
pressed differently, acid loving
plants can be expected to thrive in
soils having PHI value of less than
10.
Roses are supposed to do best In
soil having PHI value of IS to
I5-sllghtly acid to slightly alkaline.
bluegrass seems to do well whether
the soil Is acid or sweet. If there is
humus and moisture in the soil it
Will thrive. This is fortunate since
many OF the weeds which infest Our
lawns do not thrive under acid con.
oltlons. Hence lining is usually
more OF benefit to the weeds than
to the bluegrass.
inere are many plants, however.
winch DO not do so we'll under ex.
tremes OF acidity or alkalinity, When
growing under unfavorable condi.
lions tney lack vigor and are mora
subject TO disease and insect injury.
IN the majority of cases there ia
little real information available tn
tei! us how sweet or how acid the
SOIL should be for optimum growing
conditions. 1t was only recently
mat careful study was made of
delphiniums. For years the litera.
ture contained references to the lime
requirements of delphiniums. Now
we know that they are very tolerant.
but do their best In a slightly acid
soil. They need humus, not lime.
Perhaps some other of our beliefs
about desirable soil conditions NAV
be exploded with painstaking re.
search.
Since we have very little specific
knowledge to guide us, it Is desir.
able to use lime sparingly, and do
our own experimenting. Hydrated
lime, In particular, Is extremely ac-
tive and should be used with caro-
even around lime loving. plants.
Ground limestone is mild In its ac-
ton and will not injure growing
plants.
In applying lime to the soil 1t IL
best to make the application several
days ahead of planting and to mix
the lime thoroughly into the soil.
Lime is also useful in compost piles
to expedite decomposition. It helps
to tighten heavy clay soils, and
changes the chemical composition
of phosphate and potash 80 that
they are more readily available as
plant foods.
Lime. while not . plant food and
not able to take the place of fer
tilizer, Is an important garden aid
but should be used with care.