The message
from Chris Hogg contains these words:

Lime as I know it is hydrated calcium oxide, chemically Ca(OH)2. It's
quite strongly alkaline, and it wouldn't surprise me if, in this
litigious age, garden centres don't stock it for fear of being sued
by someone who got it in their eyes, or for health and safety reasons
in respect of their own staff.

It's slaked lime, and is not strongly alkaline.

In my local Wyvale, I found that small bags of 'lime' looked
suspiciously like ground limestone, calcium carbonate, CaCO3. While
this would eventually do much the same as lime, it's a lot slower
acting.

That depends on the acidity of the soil, but yes, it does tend to reduce
acidity less and more slowly.

If you want real lime, try a builder's merchant, especially one who
sells lime mortars.

No, *DON'T!* That will be quicklime, or calcium oxide, and is not
recommended at all. It is quite caustic and generates quite a lot of
heat when it comes into contact with water.

Fine stuff (mixed with sand, and matured) for sticking bricks together thobut.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
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