Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-09-18
GARDENING
BY w. H. YoUNGMAN

The use Of lime In the garden
is discussed 50 much that house
holders are inclined to apply II
whether 1t is needed or not. In
fact. it is often applied as q sor,
Of ritual-just like we used II
take sassafras tea in the spring
Some plants definitely need lime;
others will tolerate q sweet soil;
and there are a number that are
injured. Thus, it is quite impor.
tant to know the likes and dis
likes before spreading lime.
The lawns need but little lime
because the grasses are quite
tolerant and will thrive with
very little lime being added tt
the soil. The grass does need .
bit of calcium and one applica.
ton every 8 or 4 years will sup
ply all that is needed. II grount
limestone is used, and it is very
slowly available, the one applica'
ton will suffice. A highly active
lime, such as the hydrated lime
will burn the grass plants ant
can only be applied when the,
are completely dormant.
Some Need Sweet SON
Some plants, such as the pinks
need O sweet soil which shoult
be well lined before planting
The lilac is a shrub that seem!
Ito benefit from lining although
|it Is relatively tolerant and vii
grow In an acid soil.
In the vegetable garden w
have the same problem-provid
ling q sweet soil for some kinds
acid for others. Tomatoes, pota'
toes, and eggplant seem to d.
best in an acid soil, although
they. too. are relatively tolerant
However. onions. the member
OF the cabbage family, lettuce
and peas do best In q soil that 1,
neutral or slightly acid.
Azaleas. rhododendrons. ca.
Imeilias. and most Of the broad.
|leaved evergreens are VIGOROUSLY
demanding Of an acid soil. Ir
fact they might do best II w
made the soil very acid tpH SOD
Testing Kits Are Helpful
Inasmuch Is the plants have
different needs for lime the
Question arises as to how to tel
whether or not the soil Is sweet
acid, or neutral. There are
number Of soil testing kits OF
the market and those interested
lin doing some elementary chem.
|istry, might well use one. II thu
gardener Is not interested In
doing his own testing he has thu
choice Of using q soil testing
laboratory. For residents o.
Maryland there Is the Soils Lab.
|oratory at the University Of
Maryland. Virginia residents may
contact the county agricultural
agents ONCE at Fairfax. or send
their sample to virginia Poly.
|technic Institute. at Blacksburg
The residents Of the District o.
Columbia, however, must depend
upon commercial soil testing
laboratories. There are severa
In this area which do the testing
for q fee.
The analysis Of the soil vii
show whether it is acid. sweet. o.
neutral. The gardener win prob
ably be advised II 1t Ii suitable Of
will need to be made sweeter q
more acid to suit the planting
II he will ten the laborator!
what he intends to grow ut tn,
time he sends In the sample.
Gradual Change Is Best
Lime is added to make the sol
sweeter. We may add consider.
able ground limestone to the sol
II necessary. although the soil
specialists usually consider 1t de.
sirable to change the PHI reading
gradually, not more than one unit
per year. To reduce the acidity
one unit requires from IS to 81
pounds Of ground limestone pei
n