George.com wrote:

Elena Sofia wrote:
Jim Ledford wrote:


[....]
after having the clay soil tested to gain
[....]


If I understand you correctly, I should bother fertilizing, since lime
will raise the pH level to a point in which fertilization and
weed-killing is unnecessary. However, just out of curiousity, if I
were to fertilize, would THAT interfere in any way with corrective
activities of lime? Also, if a fertilizer is applied shortly before or
shortly after the lime application, would that cause any problems?

test the soil first and then add lime IF the ph needs adjusting to somewhere
near 6.5-7. The soil test comes first. You can get this done professionally
or home test kits give you a rudimentary idea (depends on how accurate you
want to be/money you want to spend). Killing weeds and feeding regimes come
after that. Soils have a natural process of making nutrients available to
plants. The soil, and the host of organisms in it, needs to be in a place
where it can work properly. A likeness, you having a shower to get ready for
work whilst you are still in bed. The shower is to get clean, lying in bed
won't help you. You have to get up and place yourself in the shower.

A good feeding regime from there will improve both your soil and plant
growth. Organic material is preferable over synthetic fertilisers. It feeds
the soil organisms who in turn feed and care for your plants.

If your soil ph is close to 6.5 or 7 then gypsum will deal to a clay soil.

Get assistance from the retailer as to how much lime you need to apply to
balance up your soil. If you get a professional soil test, ask the testing
agency for details of how much lime to apply and when to apply it.

There are 2 types of lime, agricultural lime (calcium carbonate) which is
slow acting and hydrated or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) which is faster
acting but should not be used with fertilisers. Be sure which type you are
getting and the advice matches the type of lime.

rob

good information Rob! good job!