Liming Query

[VirginVegGrower]

What is best, liming an entire bed or the planting hole, which I have seen written somewhere? Have tried searching but can't find a match. Soil intended for brassicas currently sitting on neutral

[Nes]

I would suggest liming the whole bed, as you're then less likely to over do it in one spot, and the roots of your plants will hopefully extend further than you original planting hole anyway into what would be unlimed soil if you only limed the hole. I think lime takes a little time to "work" too, so liming should usually be done some time before planting - though it better to do it late than never, I would imagine!

I normally lime the whole bed, then put a crushed up egg shell in each planting hole for my brassicas, just to give them a little extra boost...

[Two_Sheds]

Only lime if your soil is acidic, and if you're not using chicken pellets (which are themselves alkaline)

[Kristen]

What is best, liming an entire bed or the planting hole, which I have seen written somewhere?

Liming the planting hole is normally done to help combat clubroot, if you don't have that disease you would be better of (I think) to treat the whole bed with a view to getting the pH correct across the whole bed.

(But as T.S. says you may not even need to bother if your soil is neutral - my book says pH 6.5 - 7.5 which gives a little leeway from very-slightly-acid to very-slightly-alkaline)

[VirginVegGrower]

Liming the planting hole is normally done to help combat clubroot, if you don't have that disease you would be better of (I think) to treat the whole bed with a view to getting the pH correct across the whole bed.

(But as T.S. says you may not even need to bother if your soil is neutral - my book says pH 6.5 - 7.5 which gives a little leeway from very-slightly-acid to very-slightly-alkaline)

Kristen, there is a problem with clubroot up on the allotment site and most suffer. I did intend using the collars. Do you think adding a little lime to planting hole will help then? Am not well practised in growing brassicas, which is why I asked.

[VirginVegGrower]

Only lime if your soil is acidic, and if you're not using chicken pellets (which are themselves alkaline)

I wasn't intending to use chicken poop although we do have four new lovelies - they don't produce enough. Maybe I should think about this then...and buy some.

[oldie]

If there is a clubroot problem use a resistant type such as Kilaton. Snadger has some experience, so hopefully he will spot this post.

[Two_Sheds]

Kristen, there is a problem with clubroot up on the allotment site

It will help if you grow the brassicas in modules and plant out when a good size. This does seem to help with clubroot

[VirginVegGrower]

It will help if you grow the brassicas in modules and plant out when a good size. This does seem to help with clubroot

Well that's good then TS as I always sow in modules then plant out. I never direct sow brassicas
Do those collars really work?

[Two_Sheds]

Yes the collars work (against root fly). The eggs get laid on the collar, dry out and die

[VirginVegGrower]

Yes the collars work (against root fly). The eggs get laid on the collar, dry out and die

Must buy some of those then - thanks again TS

[Lotsaveg]

I'd start using the mycorrhizal fungi and forget about all the other things!

[Kristen]

Kristen, there is a problem with clubroot up on the allotment site and most suffer. I did intend using the collars. Do you think adding a little lime to planting hole will help then? Am not well practised in growing brassicas, which is why I asked.

I've read that growing a decent rootball before planting out helps (so perhaps something a bit more than a module, I suggest growing on in 3" or even slightly larger pots, and planting out a bit later as a consequence), and liming the planting holes.

Clubroot resistant variety will help too, as has been said.

Grim disease, sorry to hear about that, and no effective way to get rid of it (as the weeds in the Brassica family will perpetuate it, even if you don't plant any Brassica veg). Very contagious, so be careful not to spread it to other areas that you might have that are free of it - it will transmit on your wellies and tools

[VirginVegGrower]

I've read that growing a decent rootball before planting out helps (so perhaps something a bit more than a module, I suggest growing on in 3" or even slightly larger pots, and planting out a bit later as a consequence), and liming the planting holes.

Clubroot resistant variety will help too, as has been said.

Grim disease, sorry to hear about that, and no effective way to get rid of it (as the weeds in the Brassica family will perpetuate it, even if you don't plant any Brassica veg). Very contagious, so be careful not to spread it to other areas that you might have that are free of it - it will transmit on your wellies and tools

Larger pots sound good - I will give a later planting a go I think. Thanks for your help!

[Two_Sheds]

Must buy some of those then

Don't waste your money: make some out of card, plastic or just newspaper. You just basically want a barrier round the stem of the plant.

Some DiY options here: IDEAS FOR MATERIAL TO MAKE CABBAGE COLLARS OUT OF � Gardening Questions � gardenersclick