garden lime vs dolomite

Made from ground-up rock, limestone, or dolomite, lime is high in calcium. Dolomitic lime differs from garden lime in that it contains magnesium, in addition to calcium. Lime makes soils less acidic, raising the pH level.

Full Answer

Is lime good for garden?

The lime application helps restore the potential hydrogen structure of your garden soil. This is a treatment done to improve the health of your garden. The calcium component of the lime helps bring the soil to a pretty reasonable level. Your garden soil, due to constant use, might become acidic.

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.

What is garden lime used for?

It is the magic of nights like these that propel bands like Lime Garden into the spotlight, and as Leila puts it, “I could definitely get used to playing gigs like that every night!” Annabel tells us Lime Garden are “supporting dream wife on a couple ...

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. ...

Is Garden Lime the same as dolomite?

As with agricultural lime, dolomitic lime works to increase the pH levels of acidic soil and return the earth to nearly neutral. The primary difference between the two materials is that, in addition to containing calcium carbonate, dolomitic lime also contains a mixture of magnesium carbonate.

Is dolomite better than lime?

So if you are merely looking to correct the pH balance, you are much better served choosing calcitic lime. With this in mind, you should only use dolomite lime if you need to add magnesium to your soil. The risks posed by introducing too much magnesium far outweigh any benefits.

Why would dolomite be used instead of 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.

Can I use lime instead of dolomite?

The short answer? Very unlikely. 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 good for all plants?

According to Rural Living Today, garden lime is used to raise soil's pH level. Chemicals, metals, and other elements can make soil too acidic for many plant species and the application of lime can reduce the pH to workable — even ideal — levels. However, not all plants require this type of intervention.

Is dolomite lime good for tomatoes?

Tomatoes grow well and produce healthy fruit in larger quantities when grown in slightly acidic soil that is rich in organic matter and contains adequate amounts of calcium and magnesium. Using dolomite, also known as dolomitic lime, can help to adjust soil pH to the desired range for growing tomatoes.

Why is dolomite harmful?

Dolomite contains varying levels of crystalline silica, which can cause damage to lungs or even cancer when it is breathed in. The material can also cause irritation to the skin and eyes. The Department of Health also attested to dolomite's health risks, especially the adverse reactions in humans when inhaled.

What type of lime is best for gardens?

Agricultural lime and dolomitic lime are two types of lime commonly used in lawns and gardens. Agricultural lime (or garden lime) comes from calcium carbonate, while dolomitic lime comes from dolomite, a type of rock similar to limestone that contains calcium and magnesium.

What type of lime do farmers use?

Types of Lime for Agricultural Crops Lime is available as magnesium or calcium additives. Magnesium-based lime is called dolomitic lime. Calcium-based lime is called calcitic lime. Depending on your soil's specific deficiency, it may require one type of lime or the other.

How do I know if my garden needs lime?

If your grass is yellowing, dying in patches, or grows weakly despite your lawn care efforts, there is a very good chance you need to add lime. Soils become more acidic over time, due to natural nutrients being pulled from the soil by factors such as water runoff and application of certain fertilizers.

Should I add lime to my vegetable garden?

By neutralizing acidic soil, plants can more easily absorb nutrients from the soil. Lime also improves soil texture and helps convert other soil nutrients into usable forms. Vegetables such as peas, beans, corn, cabbage, lettuce, spinach, and other greens benefit from recently limed soil.

When should I put lime on my garden?

For most gardeners, fall is a good time to add lime. Working lime into the soil in the fall gives it several months to dissolve before spring planting. To add lime to the soil, first prepare the bed by tilling or digging to a depth of 8 to 12 inches (20-30 cm.).

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...

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.

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.

What is the best treatment for acidic soil?

Calcitic lime has long been the preferred treatment for acidic soil. A thorough application of pulverized limestone tilled into the soil raises the pH to a neutral level, increasing crop yields and improving overall soil 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.

Limestone vs Dolomite: The Facts

Limestone is an occurring type of sedimentary carbonate rock found on Earth’s surface.

Why do people confuse Limestone and Dolomite?

Ultimately, these substances are really similar. Dolomite is a form of limestone.

What is dolomitic lime?

Dolomitic lime is calcium magnesium carbonate. It has something like 20% calcium and 10% magnesium, but that can vary quite a lot. When you buy dolomite garden lime, it has been ground into granules that can be coarse or very fine, or it could be turned into a prill, a pellet, not necessary but easier to apply.

What is the drawback of dolomite limestone?

“Magnesium is often overused in present-day agriculture…The main problem with dolomitic lime is that it contains too much magnesium…An additional drawback of dolomite limestone is that it is often contaminated with lead .”

Why are minerals not leaching from soil?

First of all, minerals may or may not be leaching from your soil. If they are, it could be partially because of rain, but there are other reasons, too. If your soil is low in organic matter, which is often the case, it probably can’t hold onto minerals very well, especially if it is low in clay and high in sand and silt.

Is dolomite lime too much magnesium?

The problem with dolomite lime? It has a calcium to magnesium ratio of 2:1. That’s way too much magnesium for most soils.

Can dolomite lime cause problems?

Dolomite Lime – How Garden Lime Can Cause Problems. Dolomite lime is a common fertilizer. Many garden writers encourage you to spread it over your garden and lawn, perhaps even annually. Sometimes using dolomite garden lime is warranted, but the truth is it often makes things worse, sometimes just a little, and sometimes a lot. Let’s look at why….

Is magnesium bad for soil?

That’s way too much magnesium for most soils. Magnesium is certainly an essential mineral. Too much of it, however, causes many problems. So if you add dolomitic lime to your lawn/garden every year, chances are you’re just causing more compaction and weed problems.

Is limestone good for soil?

Dolomite limestone is used to counteract this, to “sweeten” the soil. It can do that, but that doesn’t mean it’s always a good thing.

Is aglime the same as prilled lime?

Aglime can be almost all CaCO3, or it could be roughly the same Ca:Mg ratio that's in prilled garden lime. Prilled lime has lignosulfonate binders to hold the prills together and usually has somewhere around a 2-4:1 Ca:Mg ratio, which is desirable.

Is calcitic lime the same as dolomitic lime?

Yes, you've witnessed first hand the muddle that is lime-type nomenclature. Calcitic lime is high-calcium lime and has roughly the same CCE (calcium carbonate equivalent) as dolomitic lime. In terms of adjusting the pH, they will have roughly the same effect. As I mentioned above, if you use calcitic lime, and if your fertilizer does not contain magnesium, you may want to supplement with a small amount of epsom salts (magnesium sulfate).