I know we are behind on it, but what is the recommended rule of thumb on pounds per acre without a soil sample? In west Tuscaloosa Co, mostly sandy soil.
Thanks in advance.

It's just a guess w/o soil sample but at least 1.5 to 2 tons per acre on sandy poorly maintained soil.

$7 for a soil sample is cheaper than buying too much lime, but if you're not going to do it, I think 257 is right on target with a blind estimate.

Every time I've pulled samples on top of the plateau in sandy soil, it comes back 2 tons per acre. If it's sandy and hasn't been limed in several years I bet money it'll be 1 3/4 to 2 ton per.

I agree with the 2 tons per acre.

Does anyone have much experience with the bagged pelletized lime? Is it effective applying it by the instructions on the bag, which is far less that two tons per acre?? I have always been skeptical of using the bagged stuff. Anyone??

The co-op told me 200 lbs per acre is about the going rate.

Pelleted lime works fine if you have very deep pockets. At least $200/ton vs $30-40/ton for bulk ag lime and that includes spreading.
Lime is lime regardless of what form it is in. 200 lbs/acre might be ok if you're talking fertilizer. If 200 lbs of lime is all you need you really don't need lime. SOIL TEST!

If that's the case I went way overboard. I've spread 1200# on a little over a acre the last month or so. I plan to throw another 500# or so when I plant.

Sandy soil with Pine Trees is very acidic. It takes a lot of lime to balance out the PH.

Unless you're in prairie soil, I'd stay away from advice given by that co op. 2000 would be on the low side for most land

Im using liquid lime this year. A 2.5 gallon jug is supposed to be equal to 3000 pounds of ag lime. 31.00 per jug. The drawback is it doesnt last as long but is in the soil much quicker.

Where do you get liquid lime

Do you really believe that you can get 3000 lbs of actual 85-95% pure calcium carbonate into a 2 1/2 gal jug? Would you be interested in buying the Brooklyn Bridge, I'll cut you a hell of a deal

According to the soil lab at Auburn it does work good but as i said it doesnt last as long. Its super finely ground powder. Whether or not you believe it i really dont care one way or the other. Ive used it with great results on my centipede and will continue to use it.

I need someone to explain it to me in chemical terms. You can't concentrate some thing that is nearly pure to around 1% of its mass.

Don't waste your brain power. It can't happen. If it could then we would've been doing this on row crop a long time ago. Common sense has gotta be used here

You ever heard of snake oil?

I used cal-flo. It is actually calcium hydroxide . Basically hydrated lime slurry. So technically it is lime but not ground limestone

A geochemist to the rescue