- Lime is not absolutely necessary for compost
- Lime for lawn clippings in the compost
- Which lime is suitable for compost?
In outdated guidebooks you can often read that the compost rots better with the addition of lime. This gardener's wisdom is controversial today. Some gardeners recommend avoiding liming altogether, while others find it absolutely necessary. When is lime recommended for compost?
Compost does not necessarily need lime
Lime is not absolutely necessary for compost
Lime is primarily used to neutralize acidic soil and ensure a favorable pH value. It only releases a small amount of nutrients. In fact, lime can deacidify very acidic compost. However, you should only use lime in the compost very sparingly, if at all.
A very acidic compost is created, for example, because you mainly disposed of lawn clippings, leaves and fruit peelings on it.
It is also better for the microorganisms in the compost to do the liming later when planting the soil. You should have a soil sample tested beforehand to find out for sure whether the soil is actually too acidic.
- Lime only with very acidic compost material
- Algae lime is ideal
- Do not exceed dosage
- Have the soil checked for acidity
Lime for lawn clippings in the compost
If there is a lot of lawn clippings, liming can be a sensible way to make the grass rot faster. This also prevents mold from forming and the resulting humus does not become too acidic.
The recommended dosage is one kilo of carbonate of lime per three cubic meters of compost material.
Which lime is suitable for compost?
Algae lime is best suited for compost, as this type of lime is very fine and porous and therefore absorbs acids well. If you don't want to go without liming, occasionally sprinkle a few handfuls of the lime over the compost heap. Be sure to follow the quantities on the packaging.
Calcium cyanamide, as occasionally recommended, should not be given under any circumstances. Although this can keep weeds in check, it is so corrosive that even the smallest creatures are destroyed.
tips
Egg shells are very suitable for compost because they contain a lot of lime and even more calcium. Mixed with coffee grounds, the finely crushed husks are ideal for fertilizing roses.