"Broadback" wrote in message
...
Why do instructions for liming state that the lime should be left on
top of the soil and not worked in? There must be a good reason but
blowed if I can see it. If it was stated that it was not necessary
to mix it in I could understand.

It isn't compulsory, it's just useful to do it that way if you have a
heavy soil, it helps to flocculate the grains and give a better soil
structure. If all you want is to raise or maintain the pH then you can
work it in. I imagine weathering would also make it a bit kinder for
young roots if there's any residual Calcium oxide or other caustic
impurities in the lime.

--
Rod

My real address is rodtheweedygardeneratmyweedyisp
Just remove the weedy bits
and transplant the appropriate symbol at.