Let's talk lime, ph, and expectations

I'm guilty of being in the group that traditionally plants without soil tests and am now trying to do things better. Picked up a property with a great deer population last year and observed the following:

- some plots started out well then flat out failed
- some looked good but weren't heavily used.


I sent soil samples and applied the recommended lime per acre and disked each one. The samples are based on fall plots of wheat, oats, the, and winter peas. The fertilizer recommendations are much higher than what I used last year so I expect to see some difference this year if I follow their plan. Here are my questions.

- has anyone been in a similar situation and noticed results in 1 year?
- do proper ph and nutrients improve the taste of the forage and therefore increase use/sightings on the plots?
- the soil is very sandy. My understanding is that ph in Sandy soils will correct faster but requires more maintenance. Thoughts?
- how long should I wait before I test again?
- I'm just curious of the long and short term expectations of correcting ph

Soil test. https://imgur.com/gallery/33cuEDG

I was in the same boat as you a few years ago. I did the same thing soil test, applied lime, and applied recommended N P & K at planting. The white clovers didn't do good till the following year planting I assume because it takes a year for the lime to take effect, but everything else did great. I would recommend even following soil samples during planting after everything jumps up good and growing hit it with a couple a bags an acre of N. I usually do this right before rain in December.

From what you described, last year's results and Sandy soil, if you have already put the lime out this year, this coming season I would expect very noticeable results. I disk it in but with sand don't disc the lime too far down.. Soil test probably said a 2 tons/acre. Supposedly over 2 tons there is no results the more you add. Probably in sand it will recommend things such as boron in very small amounts. Consider getting those nutrients by using Rainbow fert. What I do is sample, lime this time of year, plant fallplot. The next following plot, I'd sample about a month prior and add any additional lime according to sample. Then sample every 3-4 years afterwards.

Called for 1.5 tons per acre but I was expecting 2. The difference in fertilizer was huge but I can buy that in bulk thankfully.

What was the ph?

4.7-4.9

Where did you come up with that from?

If you apply recommended rates of lime & fertilizer you should see immediate results

The column on the soil test that says pH.

That's usually a pretty accurate way. I was thinking what the hell? Compared what I've had to deal with on new fields that's a pretty low ph. Of course mine is a different type soil and other variables but generally starting for me is at worst usually about 5.2. Then I know some that have never been limed and run 7.0-7.2

I still think I'd use the 1.5 tons now and recheck and add a little more at planting next year. Good luck!

I always lime first to get the ph up, before I start using fertilizer, so i'm not wasting it. Lime as early as you can and by fall you'll be in pretty good shape.