Bulk Agricultural Lime

Priced by the ton. Call the store to arrange purchase and loading.

Start with a soil test

Agricultural lime raises acidic soil pH. A soil test gives you a starting point before buying or spreading a bulk load. Test the area you plan to treat, since soil type affects how much lime is needed. Do not choose an amount by acreage alone. Follow the recommendation tied to that soil test, and ask your county Extension office or an agricultural professional to interpret it if the numbers are unfamiliar.

Correct a measured condition

Soil pH affects how available some nutrients are to plants. Correcting acidity can help make nutrients already in soil more available, while liming materials can also supply calcium. Use your soil report to decide whether lime is needed and what other nutrients still require attention. UF/IFAS recommends applying liming materials only when a soil test indicates a need. The goal is to address a measured condition, not to apply a routine dose everywhere.

Match the recommendation

The amount required depends on the soil test recommendation and on the neutralizing strength and particle size of the material being spread. Those properties vary across liming materials, and finer material reacts sooner than coarser material. Before spreading, check that the recommendation you are following matches the information for the load you purchased. Keep both with your field notes so you can compare the plan with a later soil test before deciding whether another application is needed.

Spread evenly

Even coverage matters. Uneven spreading can leave strips that remain acidic beside areas that received more material. For a vegetable garden that will be worked, UF/IFAS advises spreading lime evenly before plowing or spading it into the soil. For other ground or established grass, follow the soil recommendation and local guidance for the site instead of assuming a garden method applies.

Plan the bulk purchase

A bulk purchase takes some planning. Make sure the area and equipment are ready for the work before arranging a load, then leave enough time to spread it evenly. Call the store to arrange purchase and loading. Keep the soil test recommendation with your field notes so the work is based on the ground you are treating.

At a glance

Directions for use

Use a soil test and follow its recommendation. For a vegetable garden that will be worked, UF/IFAS advises spreading lime evenly before plowing or spading it into the soil.