Hydrated Lime on Garden Plants

Hydrated Lime

• Hydrated lime is a dried form of agricultural lime; a common ingredient in plaster, it is also used as a key ingredient in many other consumer products. Hydrated lime is often sold as a component of "Bordeaux mixture" -- a blend of copper sulfate, lime and water -- but it can be purchased on its own as well. Hydrated lime purchased from a nursery should be as fresh as possible, not carbonated and not exposed to air for prolonged periods of time. At any time that you handle hydrated lime or are near hydrated lime, always wear gloves, a respirator and eye protection.

Soil pH

• The most common gardening use for hydrated lime is to adjust the pH level of garden soil. Soil pH is an important predictor of success or failure when growing plants, so it is often necessary to adjust the pH level of your garden soil in order to make it more favorable to plant growth. Lime is used to raise a soil's pH, a practice commonly known as "liming." Many different substances are used to lime soils, hydrated lime being one such substance.

Slug Control

• Another common use of hydrated lime is as a natural method for slug control. Hydrated lime, along with other materials such as wood ash, salt, diatomaceous earth and eggshells, cause a slug's outer skin to dehydrate, resulting in an intense burning sensation on their tissue. Hydrated lime can therefore be a suitable alternative for those who wish to avoid the use of chemical insecticides or other invasive or potentially hazardous slug control treatments.

Other Considerations

• The two most important considerations to make when deciding if your lawn needs hydrated lime -- or any other soil amendment -- are your particular soil conditions and the plants you are planning to cultivate. Have your soil tested by a local university extension office, or purchase a soil pH tester and carefully evaluate your garden soil's fertility prior to establishing any plants. If your soil's pH is too low to support healthy plant growth, hydrated lime is one option for raising the pH level of the soil.