David (in Normandy) wrote:

Hi David

You should not apply lime to your already alkaline soil. Gypsum
and organic matter Merde should be tilled in in large quantities.

Derryl Killan


Can I use quicklime to help break up clay soil?
I meant to buy slaked lime but accidentally bought quicklime instead (I live
in Normandy and haven't mastered all the French gardening words yet :-).

The veg plot had been a lawn/grassland for many years until I rotorvated it
this Spring and set potatoes, but digging them up now is a nightmare - the
soil has a high clay content and with the hot weather it has baked into huge
clumps. I almost need a pick to get the spuds out!

Since nothing will be planted there again until next Spring can I apply lime
now?
I also plan to ask a neighbouring farmer to see if he can supply a trailer
or two of "merde" for the plot! Does anyone know if manure should be applied
before or after liming or doesn't it matter?

Any advice welcome.

PS - does anyone know how to spell "rotorvating" - my spellchecker doesn't
know either?