i have a question about lime?

[patandchickens]

The idea clay is acidic is true but only near wooded areas... or places where pine trees have grown. A lot of open areas, fields.... grassy areas... not so much! My clay/soil is pretty neutral. My azealas don't do so good (they need acidic soil) they do really well under pine trees, or where its heavily wooded.

Actually I would betcha the main reason your azaleas do better in woodlands is because there's a whole lot more organic matter in the soil there (even if the soil is still somewhat clayier than other regions' might be). Azaleas need good drainage and loose(ish) humusy soil that never dries out entirely... you get that with pine or leaf compost in woodland soils, you don't so generally get it in open areas.

While obviously not all clay is acidic (although IME the great majority IS on the acidic side of 7.0), I am not aware of, and have certainly never noticed, any consistant difference in pH depending on whether it's a wooded area or an open area. What rock the soil arose from, and how soaked/leached the soil is (or not), play as great or greater roles in determining pH.

For sure a person should do a pH test before liming, though (the cheapie ones from garden centers are not too inaccurate for these purposes, if you don't want to take the time to send off a soil sample to a lab for a more comprehensive analysis)

Pat

 

[seedcorn]

As with any soils, if you think you have problems, take a soil sample, send it in to have it tested, see what you are dealing with.

Soil textures are just that, textures. Sands lack organic matter, add compost, will benefit from mulches to keep moisture in summer; clays tie up moisture--keep roots too wet, add compost & sand; loams--enjoy, enjoy, enjoy--can't screw it up unless you try.