“What garden plants need lime?” is one question green thumbs really need to have the answer to.
If the pH levels of the garden soil are way too low, some plant varieties will not grow to their optimal abilities, which is why lime needs to be added to increase the pH of the substrate to allow them to thrive.
Today, we’re breaking down some of the top plant varieties that need lime to grow, so read on to see more on the subject.
Contents
Plants That Require Lime to Grow Well in Your Garden
1. Peas
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Peas are one of the essential vegetables out there. The freshly harvested garden peas’ flavor is one of the few things that truly screams “spring.” Pisum sativum, a cool-season annual crop, is farmed largely for its edible seeds (and sometimes seed pods).
Both short, bushy, and lengthy vining variants exist. Sweet peas (or garden peas), which have starchy seeds and inedible pods, snow peas, which have little seeds and flat edible pods, and snap peas, which have huge seeds and juicy edible pods, are the three primary varieties that people raise to eat. Although they can also be cultivated in the fall, peas are normally planted in the spring. Their rate of growth is fairly rapid.
Peas will always grow best in garden soil with a pH range of six to seven and a half. Pea production can be reduced by acidic soil. Garden lime is a great tool for pH balancing, especially if your pea crop isn’t producing as much as it could. When to apply lime to vegetable garden? You should do it in winter so that it gets incorporated into the soil before you plant the peas.
You can directly plant seeds in the garden four to six weeks before the last anticipated spring frost date in your area. Although extended exposure to temperatures well below freezing may damage your initial plantings, pea plants have some frost tolerance.
In cold climates, utilizing a cold frame to protect plants is recommended. Many locations can also support planting in the late summer or fall, six to eight weeks before your anticipated first fall frost date.
2. Cabbage
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Similarly, cabbage is another green veggie that will thrive with the help of lime. Because cabbages require a lot of nutrients, it is crucial to ensure they have access to those nutrients. Production will decrease if the soil’s pH level is outside of its optimal range. Lime’s ability to prevent bacterial growth in the soil is one of its advantages.
Lime must be added at least three months before planting if the pH of the soil is lower than six. Technically, cabbage is a biennial crop, finishing its life cycle in the second season by flowering and setting seeds. For the best quality, most gardeners plant it as an annual and harvest it during one growing season.
This cool-season vegetable has a reasonably quick growth rate and should be grown either in the spring or the fall. As long as the soil is workable, cabbage can be planted a few weeks after the last spring frost in your region. It cannot tolerate temperatures beyond 80 degrees Fahrenheit, as the heat will cause it to wither or bolt.
Six to eight weeks before your location’s anticipated spring frost date, you can start seedlings inside. For crisp, juicy heads, cabbage needs consistently moist soil. Unregular watering can cause heads to be malformed or have a harsh flavor. Cabbage grows best in full sun, which is defined as having six hours or more in direct sunlight on most days. You should also use hydrated lime for the best results.
3. Lettuce
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Your vegetable garden would not be complete without the growth of lettuce. The plant lettuce (Lactuca sativa) comes in countless variations, ranging from the soft and delicate bibb lettuce to the crisp and vibrant “Rouge d’Hiver.” This simple annual plant is a favorite of both novice and experienced gardeners.
Most lettuce varieties mature in five to eight weeks and grow swiftly. Many can also be harvested by cutting and coming back, allowing you to take a few leaves whenever you desire a salad. As a cool-season food, lettuce is often planted in early spring and harvested in late spring or early summer in home gardens. As the days get shorter and cooler in the fall, some gardeners plant a second crop of lettuce.
Lime for lettuce: Almost all types of lettuce benefit from a little lime, and adding it to the soil can aid in the growth of robust, delectable leaves on your plants. Soil pH needs to be between six and seven for lettuce. You can use Down to Earth garden lime, Soil Doctor 40-lb. Pulverized garden lime or other commercial brands you can get your hands on.
Plant lettuce when the soil can be handled in the spring. Alternately, plant seeds indoors about five weeks before the last spring frost date anticipated for your region. If you want a continuous crop, you can keep sowing seeds every two weeks. Plant about seven weeks before the first fall frost if you want a crop in the fall.
4. Beets
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The beet plant is a fast-growing vegetable that can be cultivated in almost any place. Even though beets are often grown as a root crop, the entire beet plant is edible. When thinning a row of beets, you can collect tender beet greens, and when it’s time to pull out the entire plant, the mature leaves create tasty salads. Red root beets are the most popular variety, but golden and striped variations are also offered.
Since beets (Beta vulgaris) are a cool-season vegetable crop, you may be able to grow them both early in the spring and later in the summer or fall. About two months after planting, most beet cultivars are ready for harvest.
Start with healthy soil if you want nice and tender beets. Add a lot of compost to the soil for amendment. It is worthwhile to apply lime if your soil’s pH is on the acidic side. The ideal soil pH for beets is around six and a half. If you add lime, the beets will grow to their best level. You could use Espoma organic garden lime, Pennington fast acting lime or similar products.
Before planting in the spring, wait until the soil has reached a temperature of at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. As long as the daily temperature doesn’t rise over 75 degrees Fahrenheit, you can sow subsequent plants around every two to three weeks.
5. Corn
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Corn, one of the most extensively cultivated and eaten vegetables, tastes better right after harvest. It’s surprisingly simple to grow in a backyard garden. Tall, straight stalks that grow corn produce ears with husks covering fragile kernels covered in silks. On the outside, most corn varieties resemble one another. However, sweet corn might be white, yellow, red, or even bicolor behind the husks.
Although many contemporary sweet corn varieties have been developed to mature early in the growing season, those that mature later are frequently sweeter. Sweet corn is a summer-only annual with quick growth that is sown in the spring. It is ready for harvest three months after planting, though early types may be ready sooner.
For sweet corn, a pH of six to seven is ideal. Strongly acidic soils should be limed as directed. Get your soil pH tested, then abide by the results. Soil testing is the best way to see what your plants need. Adding lime ensures your sweet corn grows to its full potential. Make sure to spread lime evenly across the garden.
After there is no longer any risk of frost, plant sweet corn in the spring. The soil temperature should be at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. It is not advised to start seeds indoors because the seedlings do not adapt well to transplanting. Lime application really makes a difference, so ensure you do it right the first time.
6. Roses
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So, what flowering plants need lime? Rose bushes (Rosa spp.) are shrubs that are famous for their fragrant blossoms in a variety of colors, including red, pink, apricot, yellow, and white. There are rose plants that trail, stand upright, and even climb. Sharp thorns adorn the woody stems of these plants.
Roses have a reputation for being picky. However, some of this may be due to rose enthusiasts’ fixation with creating flawless blooms every season. In actuality, roses can survive with little to no care and still thrive. Many new gardeners always wonder, “do roses like lime?” The answer? A big yes!
Roses will bloom profusely and be beautiful throughout the summer if planted in the spring and given enough water and nutrients. With the help of this thorough manual, you can learn how to develop and maintain rose bushes all year.
What shrubs like lime? Rose shrubs do! The standard procedure is to add some kind of lime to the soil to reduce its acidity. Agricultural limestone is typically used – the finer the particles, the quicker it starts working. Adding lime to your rose bushes will help boost optimal growth levels and make your bushes flower in no time.
When taking care of established plants, remove winter protective materials in the spring, then prune and fertilize the plants at the right time for the local climate. Additionally, now is an ideal time to spray for early disease and insect control. Deadhead the plants once the season’s blooms have faded to preserve their energy for additional growth and blooms (for repeat-bloomers).
Conclusion
Adding lime to some of your garden plants like the ones mentioned above will help boost the level of growth and ensure that these live up to their full potential.
Keep in mind:
- Rose bushes are easy to grow, so beginners are welcome. If you’re new to garden lime, adding it to something as easy as roses is the ideal place to start. Don’t confuse these with camellias which are known to be lime hating plants.
- Add lime to your green veggies like peas and cabbages to ensure those plants grow beautifully. What vegetables don’t like lime? Potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers, to name a few.
- Sandy soils are ideal for sweet corn as long as they are well draining and rich. Make sure you are soil-testing all your veggies before growing them out.
So, which of the plants from above will you be applying lime to? If you’ve got further questions, such as “Do cucumbers like lime?” or “Do azaleas like lime?” you should check out our other articles.
- 16 White and Black Flowers For a Sophisticated Garden - September 28, 2023
- 20 Full Sun Shrubs That Thrive in Scorching Conditions - September 27, 2023
- Pepper Plant Leaves Drooping: Why This Happens And Solutions - September 26, 2023
