Had a soil test done on my pasture, and it indicates that I need lime and that I should till to a depth of 6". I really don’t want to till it! Can I put lime over top and expect it to soak in over the winter?
Yep. Get pelleted lime and try to spread it just before a light rain. This is a good time of year to lime. I add lime and fertilizer to my spreader after mucking each stall and spread directly on my pastures. Since I started doing that, my soil tests have come back good and I have not had to add additional lime or fertilizer. It’s a huge time saver.
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This is what we do as well. Works great.
Where can you send samples for soil testing for pastures? Thanks!
I go through my county ag extension office for the state - I think most states have them, but not sure.
If you don’t have a local ag agent, a true farmer’s supply will offer the same option.
Lime can be added anytime of year. In my area, a lot of areas usually in the fall. Early winter if you are in area that gets snow fall, melts, etc. We don’t as much rain in normal years. Summers tend to be dry, esp after June. The rains that we do get are usually strong thunderstorms. So it can and does wash away, and or “puddle”, Pellets aren’t used much around here for that and other reasons.
Around her powdered lime only. The soil test should give the PH and how many pounds of lime per acre is needed. We give this information when ordering. Big trucks show up with very wide booms. They set their delivery/amount meter and can cover many acres in a matter of hours.
If the soil needs a larger amount of lime. Best to do over a couple of months depending on things. The only time I’ve seen it tilled in is on “open” soil/dirt. It takes around 6 months ± depending on conditions, etc for the lime to work its way in, “bond” with the soil. So maybe tilling speeds up the process. But I sure as heck would tear a grass field, paddock tilling it in.
Most state have college Ag departments that do soil testing. So for free with return postage. An internet search for the state will give the information. Around here some feed stores offer the service and will lend, rent a soil sample core puller. Very handy and makes the job of pulling core samples from various parts of a field/paddock much easier. Ar supply stores have the bags and may have Spoil core tool. Depending on the size of the property that will be limed. Most Ag stores around here will test for free.
Soil sample bags maybe needed to send in samples. The have a line to fill to so the tester isn’t getting a lot more dirt then needed to test. The bags lined and are heavy duty. Pull lost of samples from around the paddock/field to be tested. Depending on the size/acres. All of this should be in a big bag and mix thoroughly. Larger acres to be tested, section out on a piece of paper, A-B-C etc. Pull core samples from each area, mix each section together mark each back.
Fill the sample bag to the line and mark Field/paddock 1- section A. So you get a report back for each section. Really only necessary on larger properties, individual 5+ acre paddocks. One paddock may need X pounds per acre, another paddock half that. Can and does save money depending on the property and your local supplier.
I never worried too much if the tests were on the lower or high side of 7. When the tests show a full point or close on either side of 7 is when I would spend the money to amend. To each their own on this.
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We’ve been rehabbing a field for 6 yrs now and not only liming but also adding organic soil amendments. Pretty cool to see the soil improve. We send our soil samples to AEA and they will take you through what you need once you have the soil test.
https://www.advancingecoag.com/store/Sap-Analysis-and-Soil-Tests-c20204144
Lime is a long term additive to soil. We last limed more than a decade ago and my last soil sample says we’re still good. Moral: get a soil sample but this is something you don’t do every year! 
If you are REALLY deficient then it might take multiple applications and, depending on your soil, might require that to be done over multiple years. Lime absorption is a SLOW process. Don’t get impatient.
The choice between powdered or pelleted lime should be based upon YOUR local conditions. Your County Extension Agent should be able to provide you with professional advice on what will work best for your ground.
If you have really neglected pastures you’re in a multi-year program and that’s really independent of size. Whether it’s 5 acres or 50 the composition of the soil, not the total area, determines rates of absorption of both lime and fertilizers. In a larger plot you will have more variation and more flexibility but those are the major differences.
Extension is really an important asset and most Agents are pretty good on pasturage issues as those are important to all livestock producers. If this is not their strongpoint they are part of a system and more specific guidance is available if you ask for it.
Good luck in your program.
G.
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Great idea adding lime directly to spreader. Never thought of that. @Palm Beach Do you spread manure (+lime etc) on your pasture throughout the year or just in the fall? Edit to add: do you keep the horses off of the pasture for any given time or none at all?
I spread all year round on pasture that is being rested. I try to give it at least a couple weeks/rains before moving horses back on but honestly, what is the difference between the stalls they poop in, the pasture they poop in, and the resting pasture where I spread manure from the stalls? I try not to have a manure pile, but frigid temps will cause the manure to freeze in the stalls and in the spreader, so I occasionally have to resort to the wheelbarrow and pile it behind the barn.
The bacteria that decompose wood products use up a lot of nitrogen, so I add 1/3 cup of 21-0-0 to each stall after mucking.
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Our extension service advises only a ton of lime per acre per application. More and you risk taking the pH too far alkaline for the grass.
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This is not rocket science. Pull soil samples, get the report and apply what it says is needed and the amounts needed. Lime if needed be it powered or pellet is going to be the “bulkiest”. Not something the average farm owner is going to have equipment to meter and spread. Unless the farm is located outside an Ag area this is something that is done by a company that specializes in this sort of stuff to farmers or horse farms. Give them the report and they handle the rest.
If the farm owner has a big enough tractor pelleted lime maybe had in wagon spreaders that are either dropped off or pick up. Pelleted lime takes longer to work it’s way into the soil. And the land owner runs the risk of it being “puddled” after strong rain storms.
Either way it takes months to more than a year++ for the lime to start to become effective.
Really no need to get extension agents involved.
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The extension agents are the ones who provide the free soil report and give you the thingamabob to get the soil samples.
do horses need to be kept off a paddock that has just had lime applied and if so how long ?
