I've had my plot for almost eight years but I have never used lime.......until yesterday. I was advised to add lime to the soil in a bed where caulies were to be planted, so I did. But I then got carried away after reading the 'benefits' on the bag and added it to a bed where I intend to grow some potatoes.
Now I've been told that the potatoes will be scabby.
Is this correct? Does it matter? Or would I be better planting them somewhere else?
In a word yes, Lime adds to the risk of scab on potatoes
You're more likely to get it, but it only affects the appearance not the eating quality. Don't worry too much, but don't waste your money again!
You might be OK depending on a couple of things e,g. how much lime you put on and what the pH was before you did.
It might be a case of your soil was a bit on the acidic side in the first instance and if you have only put a little lime on it might not make much difference.
Having said that there is the potential for scabbing as the others have already mentioned.
Just as a matter of interest did you manure your bed before applying the lime?
There is a bit of info here about liming soil; http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Soil-Liming/Soil-Liming.htm (http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Soil-Liming/Soil-Liming.htm)
Thanks Powerspade, Robert and TeeGee for the replies.
TeeGee - I manured the bed in the autumn. I don't think I put a lot of lime on, I didn't measure it but it looks only lightly dusted. I've seen it on other plots looking like heavy frost.
Thanks for the link to your Gardener's Almanac, it's brilliant! I'll add a link to it on my website.