Content
- Meadows regularly lime
- Why should you lime meadows?
- Caution: do not lime every meadow!
- When and how is limed?
- Which types of lime are there?
- Tips & Tricks
Meadows regularly lime
Meadows are manmade biotopes that can not be left to their own devices. Instead, they need care - depending on the type of meadow more or less - care, so that the awake rich in species thrive on them. Sufficient care also includes limescale in some meadow species.
Early articleWhy should you lime meadows?
Limescale ensures that too acidic soils are upgraded. If the pH of the soil sinks into the acidic area, the meadow plants can no longer grow and are displaced by other, more acidic soils, plants.Above all, dry and poor meadows require liming, although you should not lime it into the blue, but should determine the actual need using a soil sample. So-called pointer plants such as field horsetail, sorrel, wild pansies and above all moss provide a first indication of a need for lime. If, on the other hand, you can find deadnettle, stinging nettle or shepherd's purse in your garden, this is an indication of a rather alkaline soil with a high pH.
Caution: do not lime every meadow!
Not every meadow may be whitewashed, as many a habitat is permanently disturbed by this measure. The ban applies in particular to all wetland and swamp meadows, as the rather marshy ground needs an acidic pH value so that the plants specially adapted to these environmental conditions can thrive. On the other hand, limescale is particularly useful in lean and fatty meadows and on meadows used for agriculture.
When and how is limed?
Chalking is about every two to three years, preferably in spring or autumn. If fatty meadows are limed, no animal fertilizer such as manure etc. may be applied at the same time. Otherwise, the nitrogen does not end up in the ground, but just escapes into the air. Depending on the type of lime used, the treated meadows may not be grazed for at least four weeks, depending on the frequency of rainfall, to avoid poisoning the animals. However, this only applies to burnt lime, which is also known as quicklime.
Which types of lime are there?
Basically, three different types of lime are distinguished from each other. Carbonated lime is the most gentle, because it liberates the active ingredients only very slowly. With this lime overcalcification is virtually impossible. Although etching or burnt lime works much faster, it is not recommended for the home garden due to its corrosive effect on humans, animals and plants. In addition to the two species mentioned, there is still mixed lime, which - depending on the variety and provider - but in very different proportions can be composed.
Tips & Tricks
As with lime, when fertilizing meadows, not every meadow should be fertilized. Meager meadows in particular should rather be fertilized to little or no fertilizer due to their sensitive ecological balance.