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lime v Oyster Shell ?
- Thread starter DRorganic
- Start date
O-shell last a very long time because its along term type of ph management,
great for your lawn, and other type of gardening
but it can take a long time to break down and become active depending
on the form you use
if you took pelletized lime and oshell the same size it would take 2-4 years to break down to the point it starts affecting ph
not sure how acts in floured form, its really hard stuff, if your reusing your soil it will last a long time
myself I'd use the dolo for what were doing, acts faster imo
great for your lawn, and other type of gardening
but it can take a long time to break down and become active depending
on the form you use
if you took pelletized lime and oshell the same size it would take 2-4 years to break down to the point it starts affecting ph
not sure how acts in floured form, its really hard stuff, if your reusing your soil it will last a long time
myself I'd use the dolo for what were doing, acts faster imo
I just picked up a bag of granulated chicken feed oyster shell.
Anyone use this type? Im a little hesitant to use it because Im worried about it being made for chicken feed instead of garden amendment. Anyone out there know if it is basically the same stuff?
I'd assume it's been thoroughly washed to remove salt? Im not using it to buffer pH per sae more just for diversification.
Also, is this stuff a 1:1 replacement for lime or is it more akin to crab shell? I know the granular will break down slowly but I dont want any wild pH issues if I choose to use this stuff. Not much info out there for using it as an amendment. I dont use much lime so Im not sure how to go about using this OS in terms of application rates.
Anyone use this type? Im a little hesitant to use it because Im worried about it being made for chicken feed instead of garden amendment. Anyone out there know if it is basically the same stuff?
I'd assume it's been thoroughly washed to remove salt? Im not using it to buffer pH per sae more just for diversification.
Also, is this stuff a 1:1 replacement for lime or is it more akin to crab shell? I know the granular will break down slowly but I dont want any wild pH issues if I choose to use this stuff. Not much info out there for using it as an amendment. I dont use much lime so Im not sure how to go about using this OS in terms of application rates.
Three of you are way off target, maybe the OP as well. Haze has an idea though 
If you're recycling soil, oyster grit is great, but don't count on it for liming or providing much Ca the first year.
Oyster shell flour has a similar liming reaction time to dolo, takes about 7-10 days
I use CC's combo of oyster shellflour or garden limestone (mainly CaCO3, not quick lime), gypsum and dolomite. 2-1-1. Works great, pH is on the level.
DAMNIT, I keep getting suckered by thread revivals XD
If you're recycling soil, oyster grit is great, but don't count on it for liming or providing much Ca the first year.Oyster shell flour has a similar liming reaction time to dolo, takes about 7-10 days
I use CC's combo of oyster shellflour or garden limestone (mainly CaCO3, not quick lime), gypsum and dolomite. 2-1-1. Works great, pH is on the level.
DAMNIT, I keep getting suckered by thread revivals XD
1/3c Dolomite
1/3c Gypusm
2/3c Oyster Shell flour
per cubic ft.
Been using this for many years now...
dank.Frank
1/3c Gypusm
2/3c Oyster Shell flour
per cubic ft.
Been using this for many years now...
dank.Frank
Not all liming agents are equal. Examine the Calcium Carbonate Equivalent (CCE) number. Dolomite is 100, shells range between 75-90, Gypsum will not effect the soil ph, wood ash 40-80, hydrated lime 136, calcined dolomite 185.
If the liming agent's CCE is 50, then twice the amount will be required to equal a CCE of 100.
If the liming agent's CCE is 50, then twice the amount will be required to equal a CCE of 100.
