[compost_tea] Lime in compost

From: paul trans <pde3779_at_yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 22:54:19 -0700 (PDT)

Hi Elaine,

This is from a post that you posted to Margaret
sometime ago (Jan 20th). I think that it has some math
problem in it that makes it confusing. It’s a good
post with good information so I was hoping that you
would be willing to clarify it.


>>>Example: Albrecht test says you need 8 tons of lime
per ac. Don't do that, you are wasting money, and
harming surface and ground water. A ton is about 2000
pounds, so the recommendation is to put 1600 pounds of
lime per acre. That's a chunk of change, plus think
about trying to actually spread 1600 pounds. That's a
chunk of change too.

>>>Instead, do what Arden Anderson and I have been
demonstrating works. If the recommendation is 8 tons
(1600 pounds) of lime, reduce that amount by 10 times
(to 160 pounds). Add 160 pounds of lime per 1000
pounds (half a ton) of compost (or 80 pounds per ton).
Let the organisms have a week or more to deal with
that addition, and spread that compost out at a
minimum of half ton per acre. A ton is better, 5 tons
better, etc. It's really addition of carbon to your
soil that makes the greatest difference. The calcium
is just along for the ride, and you have it in the
right proportion to the carbon in compost at this
point.

>>>Not only to you get the equivalent of 8 tons of
lime, but you enhance your biology. Make sure the
compost was made with good fungal foods, so you get
the organism that holds the calcium in the soil, and
doesn't let it leach.


8 tons per acre is 16000 pounds. That would be more
lime than compost in the application. 160 pounds of
lime per 1000 pounds of compost or 320 pounds per ton
sounds reasonable. It’s 1/100 of the of the
recommendation not a tenth though. Is this the correct
factor?

Thanks in advance.

Paul.


                
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Received on Wed Jun 23 2004 - 08:43:31 EDT

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