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Posted on 4:50 PM by Wanto and filed under
By Midori James
There are two major forms of calcium suitable for application to the soil, calcium hydroxide (hydrated or slaked lime) and calcium carbonate (ground chalk or lime), and each is suitable under certain circumstances.
Should the soil in the dahlia plot be very heavy and show an excessive tendency to waterlog during wet weather it may be necessary, in extreme cases, to lay land drains.
The dahlia is intolerant of stagnant ground, and will give poor results under such conditions, so that, though the provision of such a system is undoubtedly a laborious task, the improved results due to better drainage will justify both the expense and hard work involved.
It will seldom be necessary to lime the plot more than once in every three or four years, except on peaty soils. Though there is a strong school of thought nowadays in favour of "no digging", which simply means leaving the ground undisturbed but adding a heavy top-dressing yearly of compost, animal manures, etc., the majority of gardeners still prefer the older method of cultivation which entails turning the ground over thoroughly each year.
As far as the dahlia is concerned this normal practice seems to give the best results, and, in view of the current shortage of bulky manures for top-dressing, is economically the soundest method.
This is a valuable fertiliser on heavy ground, supplying a percentage of phosphates as well as calcium and helping to break down the ground in addition.
Should the soil in the dahlia plot be very heavy and show an excessive tendency to waterlog during wet weather it may be necessary, in extreme cases, to lay land drains.
The dahlia is intolerant of stagnant ground, and will give poor results under such conditions, so that, though the provision of such a system is undoubtedly a laborious task, the improved results due to better drainage will justify both the expense and hard work involved.
It will seldom be necessary to lime the plot more than once in every three or four years, except on peaty soils. Though there is a strong school of thought nowadays in favour of "no digging", which simply means leaving the ground undisturbed but adding a heavy top-dressing yearly of compost, animal manures, etc., the majority of gardeners still prefer the older method of cultivation which entails turning the ground over thoroughly each year.
As far as the dahlia is concerned this normal practice seems to give the best results, and, in view of the current shortage of bulky manures for top-dressing, is economically the soundest method.
This is a valuable fertiliser on heavy ground, supplying a percentage of phosphates as well as calcium and helping to break down the ground in addition.
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