Dolomitic limestone vs. aglime

[Telemark]

Anyone prefer one over the other? Or does everyone follow what the lab techs say when they do soil samples?

 

[j-bird]

See how this grabs ya. Internet is a wonderful thing!

https://www.braenstone.com/2017/04/agricultural-lime-vs-dolomite-lime/

 

[Telemark]

I actually read that before I posted. But I tend not to take any particular source as gospel. Was looking for opinions an experienced from you guys.

 

[yoderjac]

If you are low on Magnesium, they lab will recommend Domolite. Otherwise, ag lime is the best bet for the buck if you have the ability to spread it. You can't just use a broadcast spreader like you can with pelletized limed. I'm able to rent a lime buggy from the local coop making ag lime the most economical for me. My lime application is fairly close to what the lab recommends modulated with my time and cost effectiveness of the application. I can't say that for my fertilizer application. If you are just getting started, I'd follow the lab recommendation for both.

Many folks are tempted to till in lime to make it amend at the plant root level faster; especially in heavy clay soil like mine. Keep in mind that tillage may hurt your overall soil health much more than any short-term gain from faster amending. If you haven't yet, google "Ray the soil Guy" and start with his water infiltration video. It will get you to start thinking about long-term soil health. In the mean time, plant crops that tolerate low pH and low fertility that are great deer food. Buckwheat for summer or Winter Rye (cereal grain, not ryegrass for fall).

Best of luck!

Thanks,

Jack

 

[Telemark]

One of the reasons I ask is that the entire island where I hunt is dolomitic limestone along the Niagara Escarpment, and the deer grow huge antlers, and it seems to be great for the soil.

 

[yoderjac]

Probably has more to do with the glaciated soils than the type of limestone.

 

[sagittarius]

Ag lime is just a generic term for limestone ground fine enough to spread on a field. Limestone is primarily carbonates, mostly calcium carbonate with a variable amount of magnesium carbonate. Dolomitic lime is another generic term for limestone that has a reasonable amount of magnesium carbonate in its composition (Dolomite is 100% pure magnesium cabonate). In reality there is no nationwide defined specification for either. If your soil needs magnesium, and lowering of PH, by all means attempt to acquire some dolomitic Ag lime. Most of the time one gets lime that is closest and cost effective. Ag lime, barn lime, dolomitic lime, and garden lime can all come from the exact same limestone quarry.

 

[broom_JM]

Is "ag lime" ever dolomitic lime?

The main thing for the OP to understand is that the ratio between calcium and magnesium, in your soil, is important. Ample amounts of both is good, but too much of one without enough of the other will lower your CEC, which is the best measure of how well your soil will grow most stuff. It is absolutely a good idea to use the right kind of lime.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Telemark]

I thought lime was actually heated limestone.

 

[FarmerDan]

There are more types of lime products then there are ways to buy peas in a grocery store.