Allotments 4 All

I have not seen lime in shops or garden centres for the last two years. Is it some sort of banned chemical; surely it's only CaCO3. Anyway as I can't get any what could I use as a substitute? Baking Powder or Sodium Bicarbonate ? These are pretty basic. What about powdered plater board or mortar ?

There is plenty about.... you will need loads of bi-carb to condition your soil !!!

Ebay has plenty....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GARDEN-LIME-CALCIUM-CARBONATE-25kg-SACK-/170749161372?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Garden_Plants_Fertiliser_CV&hash=item27c1716f9c

B&Q....

http://www.diy.com/nav/garden/garden-care-watering/compost-sand-bark/Verve-Garden-Lime-3kg-10777729?skuId=11268315

Yes, quite a few of the old boys on my site use builders lime.  I'm not sure I'd use it but it certainly is economical as you don't need much.

I've just ordered it from the wholesalers for our allotment shop

Quote from: Ellen K on March 25, 2014, 07:16:59
Yes, quite a few of the old boys on my site use builders lime.  I'm not sure I'd use it but it certainly is economical as you don't need much.

Builders lime goes like cement and used to build houses before cement was made... so I'd beware of this..

We have lime in our lottie shop too. Perhaps shops don't stock it so much anymore as it is item that doesn't sell in quantity like fertilizers do..or do new generation gardeners know how to use it or even realize they might need it..? It is not kind of 'fashionable' product that has 'sparkle' to it..

Quote from: gavinjconway on March 25, 2014, 08:14:08

Quote from: Ellen K on March 25, 2014, 07:16:59
Yes, quite a few of the old boys on my site use builders lime.  I'm not sure I'd use it but it certainly is economical as you don't need much.

Builders lime goes like cement and used to build houses before cement was made... so I'd beware of this..

See: http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?PID=144

QuoteBuilders lime goes like cement and used to build houses before cement was made... so I'd beware of this..

Not quite correct Gavin, you are getting your limes mixed up!

Yes there is lime mortar which is usually brownish in colour and this is used where the mortar has to be weaker than the bricks/ blocks being laid.

In fact if you were to crush this mortar it would do the same as any other lime.

The reason why it has to be weaker is to cater for subsidence.i.e the mortar will crack but the bricks/ blocks won't so you can point the cracked joints.

The other lime is used to plaster walls and it is this that I use to lime my plots.

This is also used as a lime wash on all those nice Tudor buildings  to highlight the timber work.

In fact all of the limes Caco3 's can be used in the soil it just a matter of choice as to which one to use.

I like the fast action of the Hydrated lime.

P.s it is over fifty years since I last did any chemistry but I think what I learned then stands true today!

If using builder's lime, be aware that there are three main types: Hydrated lime (used as a plasticiser and toughener in cement mortars), Hydraulic limes (hardens with water), and Non-hydraulic limes (hardens with CO2). I've used hydraulic and non-hydraulic, and would say they seem a bit strong for the garden, given that they cause slight skin burns. No experience of hydrated lime.

Agricultural lime is just crushed limestone, so should always be cheaper than builders lime, which requires a lot of energy to manufacture.

No one has mentioned wood ash, which of course contains a fair bit of lime.

Quote from: Ian Pearson on March 25, 2014, 16:52:38
If using builder's lime, be aware that there are three main types: Hydrated lime (used as a plasticiser and toughener in cement mortars), Hydraulic limes (hardens with water), and Non-hydraulic limes (hardens with CO2). I've used hydraulic and non-hydraulic, and would say they seem a bit strong for the garden, given that they cause slight skin burns. No experience of hydrated lime.

Yup thats why I said builders lime is like cement..

^  no, it's not "like cement".  Builders lime (hydrated lime as the RHS call it) is a very fine powder - the real problem with using it is that it blows everywhere.  You need to be careful not to breathe in the dust or have the wind blow it in your eyes.  But even if you dont dig it in straight away, it just washes in - you do not get a film like concrete on the ground.

I won't be using it though.  Mostly because I don't grow that many brassicas and I haven't got a problem with club root.

No one has mentioned wood ash, which of course contains a fair bit of lime.

Yep...it works too..though it doesn't have as strong effect as lime.

Other substitutes for lime...err, lemon?

Quote from: Ellen K on March 26, 2014, 08:46:37
^  no, it's not "like cement".  Builders lime (hydrated lime as the RHS call it) is a very fine powder - the real problem with using it is that it blows everywhere.  You need to be careful not to breathe in the dust or have the wind blow it in your eyes.  But even if you dont dig it in straight away, it just washes in - you do not get a film like concrete on the ground.

I won't be using it though.  Mostly because I don't grow that many brassicas and I haven't got a problem with club root.

I am trying to get the fact over that if you mix some like cement you can build with it and it sets like cement... I know the ground wont go hard like concrete...

Try this link as to alternatives.. 

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?PID=144


But I am surprised you cannot find any garden lime . I prefer dolodust which usually is cheaper ..cheers Jim 

I cannot get any form of lime; whether it be Calcium Hydroxide (hydrated lime) or Calcium Carbonate (ground limestone etc). As I live in the Midlands, seaweed is a bit scarce. I have put a lot of wood ash in recently as I had a big fire. This is alkaline which is what I'm after.

I think that using ground up plaster board is really Calcium Sulphate, basic (i.e. not acid) but insoluble, so difficult to act neutralising excess acid. What about Sodium salts such as baking powder (Sodium Carbonate) or bicarb ?

Milk of Magnesia and tablets for indigestion are alkaline but expensive for this application.

Any other suggestions ?

Quote from: davee52uk on March 26, 2014, 23:00:44
I cannot get any form of lime; whether it be Calcium Hydroxide (hydrated lime) or Calcium Carbonate (ground limestone etc). As I live in the Midlands, seaweed is a bit scarce. I have put a lot of wood ash in recently as I had a big fire. This is alkaline which is what I'm after.

I think that using ground up plaster board is really Calcium Sulphate, basic (i.e. not acid) but insoluble, so difficult to act neutralising excess acid. What about Sodium salts such as baking powder (Sodium Carbonate) or bicarb ?

Milk of Magnesia and tablets for indigestion are alkaline but expensive for this application.

Any other suggestions ?

Davee.. Growell is supplier to our allotment shop and they sell to public too..and they are Midland based. http://www.gro-welldirect.co.uk/contact-us 

Ebay has loads...

Volcanic rockdust is supposed to work by a liming effect.  B&Q sell it in 10kg bags for £5.98.

QuoteVolcanic rockdust is supposed to work by a liming effect

What a terrible thought.     I was going to put it on my raspberries,  I have enough lime already certainly do not want to pay for more.   My problem is getting rid of it.