Magnesium and Lime

Most soils contain all the magnesium that you will need for growing most types of plants.

If you are growing vines, it is very important that your soil contain enough magnesium, so you should have the soil analyzed before planting.

Kainit, a potash salt, is made of about 14 percent magnesium sulfate. If you add Kainit to the soil, there will be enough magnesium for all ordinary crops to grow.

All soils have at least some lime, but most would benefit by having a dressing of lime added periodically.

Adding lime periodically enhances the physical condition and the fertility of the soil.

Lime makes the plant foods in the soil available for plants to use.

When a soil contains too much humus, acids that are poisonous to plants form in it.

If you apply lime to this soil, it will make the soil alkaline.

Using lime as a base will prevent a number of fungus diseases. It will also help some artificial fertilizers to be more effective.

The carbonic acid in rainwater easily dissolves lime, which also tends to sink into the ground.

Consequently, lime must be replaced frequently.