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Dolomite lime and ph level

JamieMcDJamieMcD Posts: 89
in Problem solving

Hi everyone, not exactly sure if i should my old tomato thread or post in this one but it is regarding a different issue.

I have seen folk online adding dolomite lime to container grown tomatoes and i beliebe this is to add the calcium to hopefully avoid blossom end rot. What i want to know is since it raises the ph level and tomatoes apparently prefer a more accidic soil, would adding used coffee grounds help keep the ph from rising? 

I dont have a ph testing tool and so i am just wondering what would be best to do.

Plus iv been saving egg shells and i am going to try adding these to the soil of some of the plants. Does anyone have any experience with this working?

Please and thanks

Jamie 

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    I've never bothered, but potatoes which are the same family seem to love calcified seaweed (Maerl). I use it whenever I need to raise the pH . it adds a lot of micronutrients as well.

  • JamieMcDJamieMcD Posts: 89

    thanks, see i doubt i need to raise the ph really. I am just using multi purpose compost so thought the ph would be repetitively neutral. Having said that I am adding well rotted cow/horse manure so if thats slightly acidic maybe itll balance out a bit. 

    appreciate the help anyway 

    jamie

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906

     MPC is alkaline which is why it should not be used for ericaceous plants and therefore there should be no need to add anything to it for growing tomatoes.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774

    You could try Rockdust or Remin, both crushed volcanic rock. They add huge amount of minerals to soil. I have found they improve growth & yield of a lot of different crops, as does calcified seaweed suggested by figetbones. All are slow acting but one application will last all season.

    However remember that most blossom end rot is caused by erratic watering rather than an actual deficiency of calcium  in the soil.

    AB Still learning

  • JamieMcDJamieMcD Posts: 89

    thanks everyone, appreciate the help, Maybe i will just look for calcified seaweed then and stick to watering consistently. Is there a best time of day to water ? or just the same time every day or every other day as required ? 

    jamie

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,146

    As recommended by Italophile, a long time poster on here, I only water mature tomato plants when the leaves begin to droop.

    Sometimes this means watering only once or twice a week, depending on the weather.  the toms are in bucket-sized pots with at least four inches of space at the top. When I water I fill the pot to the brim and leave it to drain. 

    We have had virtually no blossom end rot since I've followed this watering regime. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • JamieMcDJamieMcD Posts: 89

    thanks dove from above. that sounds like very good advice 

    if i do decide on the calcified seaweed, and if you folks are in the UK, do you have any idea where sells it. had a quick google search there but can't seem to find anywhere.

    thanks again 

    jamie

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,146

    I use Maxicrop tomato fertiliser which contains seaweed and everything else tomatoes need in a balanced formula. It is organic and using this simplifies feeding and avoids causing imbalances in the soil.  I get it from the garden centre but it's also available online. 

    I only feed when the first truss of fruit has set and weekly after that. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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