Dolomite Lime versus Garden Lime

[David Nicholson]

I can't find a local supplier for Dolomite Lime anymore, what's the difference please between it and ordinary garden lime? I use it to dress the soil where I'm planting Irises (not PC's) and roll my Juno and Reticulata type bulbs in it when re-potting.

[DaveM]

David, garden lime is "quicklime" - hydrated calcium oxide; though I think in some cases this may be mixed with, or wholly replaced by, crushed chalk or limestone (i.e. calcium carbonate).  Dolomite-rock, which is calcium magnesium carbonate, is calcined ("burnt") to form dolomite lime. So, the difference is the presence of a significant proportion of magnesium in the latter. Both will raise the pH of the soil, dolomite lime having the higher pH. The latter will also be useful where there is Mg deficiency.

Dolomite lime can be ordered over the web from GardenDirect I think, probably among other companies.

[David Nicholson]

Many thanks for the information Dave. Garden Direct's price for 3Kg is £7.50 plus £5.95 p&p. WOW, gold must be cheaper! I'll have a look on Ebay

[Roderick]

I hope nothing has changed!  Earlier this year I was paying £7.00 + VAT per 25 kg for Dolodust.  Ground limestone was £4.79 + VAT per 25 kg at the same time from my wholesale supplier.  So if you are using enough you should be able to find it cheaper!