Lime into Soil

Hi all

I recently planted some brassicas as a newbie and quickly learning that patience is paramount when gardening.

I realise I'm a bit early now but thought I was doing the right thing when I transplanted.
Anyway, so far a week on they seem to be performing in the ground rather well considering the cooler weather at night. The issue is my soil is testing a little acidic for brassicas. Around 5.5

I have some mushrom compost in there and hoping as that breaks down more the acidity level will move towards 6.0ph.

However, I have some garden lime and was wondering if I can sprinkle some on top around the plants with the hope that the rain/ watering will carry those minerals down into the soil and thus increase the pH. I'm apprehensive about doing this though as I understand it's best to do this in late autumn and mix well with your soil. Any thoughts?

Regards
Nikos

 

Some good info on Liming here, though generally a small handfull spead evenly over a square mtr and gently forked in should be fine, just avoid getting it directly onto the plants stems as @JWK mentions.
It should work into the soil ok, as your crop takes a long time to mature.

Most seem to agree that Brassicas ideally need PH 6.5 -7.5, just do not try and raise it that high in one sudden treatment.

Lime and liming / RHS Gardening

 

I use Dolomite Lime on my lawn to raise the pH in areas where moss wants to grow as an alternative to using Iron Sulphate. I would suggest that the same principles apply even to its use around brassicas.

From my experience, I've found that as a rough guide, about 25 litres per 100sq.m. will raise the pH 1 point. I find it best to apply to the surface in Autumn so that the wet weather washes it into the ground. After that, its just a matter of making regular checks to keep the pH level as required. From what I can gather, it seems that a further treatment every four or five years will be needed to keep things as required.

Take note however that my experiences differ slightly from the RHS advice that was posted previously.