dolomite lime vs hydrated lime

In layman's terms hydrated lime is very caustic and reacts immediately with water. Dolomitic lime is slower to react and therefore lasts longer in a container. Hydrated lime can raise pH more than dolomitic with less product used.

Full Answer

Should I use dolomitic or calcitic lime?

You should only use dolomite lime when you have a soil test showing a huge deficiency of magnesium in your soil, as well as a calcium deficiency. Even then, calcium carbonate (aka calcitic lime or high-calcium lime) is generally the way to go because it has a small amount of magnesium and often a calcium to magnesium ratio of about 6:1, with a calcium content of 30% to 40% or more.

Why is dolomitic limestone better?

,” include the following:

• Calcium deficiencies in Wisconsin are rare in soils above pH 6.0. ...
• If liming is required, a dolomitic or calcitic liming material will supply sufficient calcium to maintain crop growth. ...
• Choose the most economical liming material when liming is required. ...
• If you choose a liming material low in magnesium, be careful to avoid magnesium deficiencies. ...

Where to buy hydrated lime?

This item is not currently available for immediate purchase, but can be ordered by visiting the selected store. Type N dolomitic hydrates are useful in construction, agricultural and industrial applications. Hydrated lime products supplied by Graymont include high calcium hydrated lime, various types of dolomitic hydrated lime as well as lime.

What is difference between quick lime and slaked?

Quick lime is calcium oxide formed by heating limestone ( or occasionally sea shells). Slaked lime is calcium hydroxide which is formed by adding water to the calcium oxide ( quite dangerous due to the severe exothermic reaction ).

Is dolomite lime hydrated?

Two of the standard types of lime are hydrated lime and dolomite lime.

What is the difference between lime and dolomite lime?

Calcitic lime is derived from deposits of primarily calcium carbonate. Dolomitic lime is derived from deposits of calcium carbonate combined with magnesium carbonate and contains much higher levels of magnesium.

Is garden lime and hydrated lime the same?

The term agricultural lime, or "aglime," usually refers to crushed limestone. Limestone (calcium carbonate) is not the same as hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide).

What is dolomitic hydrated lime used for?

Graymont's agricultural hydrated lime is a Type N hydrated lime product used to modify soils for agricultural applications. The following benefits can be attained through the use of this product in agriculture: Graymont agricultural hydrated lime supplies calcium and magnesium nutrients needed for proper plant growth.

Can hydrated lime be used in the garden?

Hydrated Lime is designed for use on lawns, gardens, & potted plants. For gardens, work in Hydrated Lime around each plant & water normally. For potted plants, mix one tablespoon of Hydrated Lime in one gallon of water & apply as you would normally water.

What is the best type of lime for lawns?

Calcitic limeCalcitic lime is the preferred type, thanks to the added plant benefits provided by the calcium. There are several types of calcitic lime products available, including agricultural ground limestone, pulverized limestone, and pelletized limestone.

Can I put hydrated lime on my lawn?

Hydrated Lime: Hydrate lime is made from Calcium Hydroxide and should not be spread on the lawn or garden. You should abstain from using hydrated lime in the garden. This type of lime can burn plants and your skin.

What type of lime is best for gardens?

Limestone alters the pH of the soil and provides nutrients to plant life. Ground limestone, either calcitic or dolomitic, is the most used, most abundant, and generally least expensive form of lime.

Which plants like dolomite lime?

Dolomite (calcium magnesium carbonate): Similar to garden lime but slower acting. Also contains magnesium carbonate so good for trees like apples and pears. Gypsum (calcium sulphate): Great for acid loving plants (like rhododendrons) as it adds calcium to ground without altering soil pH.

What is hydrated lime called?

Calcium HydroxideHydrated Lime refers to a form of Calcium Hydroxide that only contains molecular water, leaving a dry powder. Common names are “Hydrated Lime,” “Mason's Lime,” or “Bag Lime” for building.

How long does hydrated lime last?

STORAGE OF LIME Most bagged, hydrated lime has a shelf life of 12 months once kept dry and sealed. Once opened bags should be used straight away or resealed so as to be airtight. Some premixed lime mortars with additives may have a shorter shelf life. Lime putty will last indefinitely once kept underwater and airtight.

How long does it take dolomite lime to work?

Applied in the same manner as calcitic lime, dolomitic lime takes at least a year before achieving measurable results unless the soil pH is extremely low, when results may be observed within only a few weeks. Several factors affect reactivity time.

What are The Benefits of Calcitic Lime?

Calcitic lime has long been the preferred treatment for acidic soil. A thorough application of pulverized limestone tilled into the soil raises the...

What are Calcitic Lime’s Limitations?

Typical calcitic lime treatments require some patience. If you apply dry calcitic lime on a dry field, you will need to wait for rain for the treat...

What are the Benefits of Dolomite Lime?

When it comes to raising and balancing the pH of your soil, both calcitic and dolomite lime are effective. However, unlike calcitic lime, dolomite...

What are Dolomite Lime’s Limitations?

However, while dolomite lime works well if you need to raise your magnesium levels, excess magnesium creates new dangers. Too much magnesium can ca...

Dry vs. Damp Lime

When choosing a lime treatment, you will also have to choose whether to use damp lime or traditional dry lime. Both have their advantages and disad...

Fine Pulverized vs. Pelletized Lime

In addition to choosing between dry and damp lime, you can also choose between pulverized and pelletized lime. Each have their applications, so dep...

Need Help Choosing?

Deciding whether calcitic lime or dolomite lime is best for you can be difficult. If you are having trouble deciding, you can contact a Baker Lime...

Dolomite Lime and Hydrated Lime

I am trying to make Al's mix. I have all the ingredients, but I can not find Dolomite Lime. All I can find is Hydrated Horticultural Lime. Will it work? Is it the same thing. I usually plant in the garden, but this is the first time I am going to add some containers for a small side project.

Comments (16)

Hydrated lime is hard to use safely in a container, find the dolomitic lime. You may have better luck finding it as agricultural lime or just lime. Espoma sells the right stuff and you can probably find it by calling a few garden centers. Most of the time you find lime at a garden center if it doesn't say it is hydrated lime, it is dolomite.

Which is better, calcium carbonate or dolomite lime?

Calcitic lime also works more quickly than dolomite lime: Calcium carbonate is better at balancing pHs than magnesium carbonate, and calcitic lime contains much higher levels of calcium carbonate than dolomite lime.

What is the difference between calcitic lime and dolomite lime?

The primary difference lies in the use of magnesium: Dolomite lime contains large amounts of magnesium along with calcium carbonate while calcitic lime only contains calcium carbonate. Magnesium is an important mineral for plant health.

How to determine the best lime treatment for your soil?

First and foremost, you need to determine your soil pH. If you determine that your soil is acidic, meaning it has a pH below 7, a lime treatment is probably necessary.

Does Baker Lime have dolomite?

Regardless of which kind of lime you need in order to improve the pH in your fields, Baker Lime has the product you need. Because both calcitic lime and dolomite lime can drastically change the mineral make-up of your fields, you want to be sure that you are getting the product that is best suited for your needs.

Is magnesium carbonate alkaline?

Even though magnesium carbonate is alkaline just like calcium carbonate, it doesn’t work quite as effectively.

Can you use dolomite lime on clay soil?

If your fields contain a large amount of clay soil, it is unlikely that you will want to use dolomite lime. In fact, because dolomite can make soil compaction worse, an ill-advised dolomite application can seriously harm denser clay soils. Additionally, undoing a dolomite lime treatment can be tough.

Is dolomite lime good for soil?

When it comes to raising and balancing the pH of your soil, both calcitic and dolomite lime are effective. However, unlike calcitic lime, dolomite lime also contains large amounts of magnesium. Magnesium is an essential mineral for healthy soil.

How is dolomitic lime made?

As the name suggests, dolomitic lime is manufactured by crushing dolomitic limestone down to very small pieces. As with agricultural lime, dolomitic lime works to increase the pH levels of acidic soil and return the earth to nearly neutral.

What is the ratio of dolomitic lime to magnesium?

As a general rule of thumb, soil should always have a calcium to magnesium ratio of between 7:1 (for sandier soils) and 10:1 (for more clay-based soils).

What is lime used for?

For centuries, the natural stone product of agricultural lime has been used to improve growing conditions for farm fields, gardens and even residential lawns. While liming is extremely common in the agricultural sector, there are different options to consideration. One of the most common limes compared to aglime is dolomitic lime.

What is aglime made of?

Typically, aglime is spread in its pure, dry “ calcitic ” form, meaning that the product is comprised mainly of calcium carbonate. At the same time, you may also find some other variations of agricultural lime. Liquid lime, for example, is applied using a combination of approximately 50% dry aglime and 50% water.

Why is lime used in the wind?

Because dry lime is so small in particle size, it can be blown in the wind, so it should be applied in calm weather conditions. It should also be noted that agricultural lime reacts more quickly with water. If your soil is particularly dry, it may take more time for you to achieve the desired results.

Why use lime in agriculture?

The first obvious benefit to using agricultural lime is that it has been proven time and again to effectively balance out soil pH levels and improve plant health. Soil that has become to acidic as the result of frequent crop cycles or acid rain makes it difficult for nutrients to be absorbed through a plant’s root system or even for water to fully penetrate the earth.

How long does it take for lime to correct soil?

Although some positive results may be observed, it will likely take a full year before the desired pH levels have been restored.

What is the difference between garden lime and dolomite?

The difference between the two is dolomite has additional magnesium. Click to see full answer.

Is hydrated lime the same as garden lime?

Click to see full answer. Regarding this, is Lawn Lime the same as garden lime? Hydrated lime was sold for years as a garden lime. However, it is actually made of Calcium Hydroxide and should not be put on lawns or gardens, as it is caustic to plants and skin, reacting with any moisture it comes into contact with.

What is the difference between hydrated lime and quick lime?

There are two kinds of lime, quicklime and hydrated lime, which differ in their chemical composition and uses. Solid bars of quicklime were once heated in theatrical spotlights ...

What is hydrated lime used for?

Hydrated lime is used to purify waste water and industrial wastes, and control odors. It reduces soil acidity in farms, lawns and gardens.

What is the purpose of quick lime?

Solid bars of quicklime were once heated in theatrical spotlights to produce an intense white light called the limelight. Hydrated lime once was used in outhouses to sanitize and kill odors. Today, both forms of lime are essential materials in industry, agriculture and construction.

How much calcium oxide is in hydrated lime?

Hydrated lime made from pure calcium oxide will be roughly 74 percent calcium oxide and 24 percent chemically combined water. Dolomitic hydrated lime will have about 48 percent calcium oxide, 34 percent magnesium oxide and 17 percent water. Hydrated lime is white and powdery.

What is slaked lime?

Hydrated lime, sometimes called slaked lime, is quicklime to which water has been added until all the oxides of calcium and magnesium have been converted to hydroxides. The water has slaked quicklime’s thirst.

How is lime made?

Lime is a manufactured alkaline product created from limestone, or calcium carbonate. Limestone is crushed and fed into a huge rotary kiln. It is heated to about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit by natural gas and combustion air to form lime by a process of controlled burning called calcination in which carbon in the limestone is driven off.

What is lime used for?

In construction, hydrated lime is an essential ingredient in mortar, plaster, whitewash and stucco. It is also used to stabilize soil for construction projects.