How to properly use dolomite flour on the site. How to use dolomite flour in your garden

Exist universal fertilizers that are of natural origin. With them, the harvest in the garden will always be good and environmentally friendly. One of these dressings is dolomite flour, which is made from rock. How to use dolomite flour correctly?

What is dolomite flour?

Dolomite (limestone) flour is a crushed dolomite belonging to the group of carbonate rocks. It is produced in accordance with GOST 14050-93, according to which the particles do not exceed 2.5 mm; fractions up to 5 mm, but not more than 7%, are allowed. Limestone flour is widely used in home gardens to deoxidize soils and control insects with chitinous cover. For other living organisms, the product is safe. But nevertheless, the flour contains extremely small particles, work with it should be carried out in calm weather, if possible protecting your eyes and respiratory tract.

Photo gallery: Dolomite path - from the mountain to the garden plot

Dolomite flour sold in stores, packaged in 5 or 10 kg, has a white or grey colour. In its production, third-party chemical elements, since dolomite is useful in itself.

The smaller the particles of dolomite flour, the higher its quality.

Table: advantages and disadvantages of dolomite flour

Advantages disadvantages
With prolonged exposure to the soil, it improves its chemical and biological properties Not suitable for all plants
Increases the effectiveness of other applied fertilizers Dangerous overdose
Stimulates photosynthesis processes
Binds harmful radionuclides, makes the crop environmentally friendly
Enriches the soil with calcium, which is necessary for the healthy growth of the root system.
Destroys the chitinous cover of insects
Safe for living organisms

Table: chemical composition of dolomite flour

The percentage of moisture in dolomite flour is allowed within 1.5%.

Recommendations for the use of fertilizer depending on the type of soil

The norms for the introduction of dolomite flour depend on the chemical and biological composition of the soil in the country or personal plot. For one square meter required:

  • with acidic soil (pH less than 4.5) - 600 g,
  • with medium acid soil (pH 4.6–5) - 500 g,
  • with slightly acidic soil (pH 5.1–5.6) - 350 g.

For maximum effect, limestone flour is evenly distributed throughout the site and mixed with the soil (about 15 cm from the top layer). You can simply scatter the remedy over the ridges, in which case it will begin to act no earlier than in a year. Dolomite does not burn plant leaves. Its effect at the right doses is 8 years.

The introduction of dolomite flour on the ridges is best done in the fall

There are plants that grow on acidic soils and therefore can die from the presence of dolomite flour in the soil. By responsiveness to the introduction of such fertilizers, crops are divided into four main groups:

  1. They do not tolerate acidic soils, plants grow well on neutral and alkaline soils, and react positively to the introduction of dolomite even on slightly acidic soils. These crops include: alfalfa, all types of beets and cabbage.
  2. Sensitive to acid soil. Plants of this group prefer neutral soils and respond positively to the introduction of limestone powder even on slightly acidic soil. These are barley, wheat, corn, soybeans, beans, peas, beans, clover, cucumbers, onions, lettuce.
  3. Weakly sensitive to changes in acidity. Such crops grow well in both acidic and alkaline soils. Nevertheless, they respond positively to the introduction of dolomite flour in the recommended rates for acidic and slightly acidic soil. These are rye, oats, millet, buckwheat, timothy grass, radish, carrots, tomato.
  4. Plants that need liming only when hyperacidity soil. Potatoes, for example, when adding dolomite flour without the recommended amount potash fertilizers can get sick with scab, the starch content in tubers decreases, and flax can get sick with calcium chlorosis.

Table: rules for applying dolomite flour

Plant Period Quantity
Stone fruits (plum, cherry, apricot) After harvest, annually 2 kg in the near-stem circle
Black currant September, every two years 1 kg per bush
Cabbage Before boarding 500 grams per 1 sq.m.
Potatoes, tomatoes During the autumn digging of the soil Depends on soil acidity (see above)
Gooseberry, blueberry, cranberry, sorrel Cannot be deposited -
For other garden crops, dolomite is applied two weeks before planting in quantities depending on the acidity of the soil. Dolomite flour in greenhouses is distributed over the ridges in the amount of 200 g per 1 sq.m. Only in contrast to open ground the soil in this case is not dug up. Dolomite creates a film that retains moisture.

There are two most popular methods of liming the soil. They are named after their agronomist developers:

  1. The Mitlider method. Instruction: for 1 kg of dolomite flour, take 8 g of boric acid powder, distribute it over the ridges, dig it up. A week later, mineral chemical fertilizers and dig again. Suitable for open ground.
  2. Makuni method. Mix 2 liters of soil from the ridge, 2 liters of special substrate for certain culture, which is preparing for planting, 2l sphagnum moss, 1l river sand, 4 liters of peat, then add first 30 g of dolomite flour, then the same amount of double superphosphate and two glasses of crushed charcoal, mix everything thoroughly. Suitable for preparing soil mixtures for indoor flowers or for growing crops in greenhouses and conservatories.

Table: compatibility of dolomite flour with various fertilizers

Fertilizer Compatibility
Manure Cannot be entered together. First flour, and after a few days manure. Reduce it by half.
Urea Not compatible
Ammonium nitrate Not compatible
blue vitriol Work great together
Boric acid well compatible
Superphosphate Incompatible
Ammonium sulfate Incompatible
Nitrophoska Incompatible
Azofoska Incompatible

Fertilizers incompatible with limestone flour should be used no earlier than 10 days after the application of dolomite.

Garden tricks for using fertilizer

  1. If the soil on the site is clayey, dolomite is applied annually. In other cases, it is used once every three years.
  2. It is better to apply fertilizer in the fall so that the soil rests and is saturated with all the useful elements.
  3. In spring or early summer, plants can be watered with a mixture of water and dolomite flour (200 g per 10 liters of water).

Dolomite flour under the trees is brought along the perimeter of the near-stem circle

Analogs means for use in the garden

Dolomite flour is not the only tool that can be used to deoxidize the soil; it can be replaced with other compounds.

It is also successfully used to reduce the acidity of the soil. But here you need to take into account the type of wood from which the ash was made, calculate required amount for deoxidation is very difficult, especially on large areas. In any case, its consumption is several times higher than that of dolomite, therefore, the procedure is more expensive.

Wood ash is a costly soil deoxidizer

Lime (fluff). It is very active, quickly leads to soil neutralization, interferes with crops in sufficient absorb phosphorus and nitrogen, so it is better to make lime in the fall for digging. In no case should it be poured onto the plant - fluff causes leaf burns. And an excess of slaked lime leads to serious damage to the roots.

Lime causes burns on leaves and roots of plants

Thanks to dolomite flour, you can get a safe, tasty, rich harvest. It's economical, but effective method enrich the soil of the garden plot with useful microelements, while there is no need to be afraid of damage to plants.

Dolomite flour - finely ground rock used as a fertilizer. Raw materials for making flour in large numbers contains calcium and magnesium. These minerals are essential for improving the physical and chemical properties of the soil. Calcium ions can artificially reduce the acidity of the soil. Dolomite formula: CaMg(CO2).

Dolomite is a rock.

Soils with high acidity are unsuitable for growing useful crops. Natural minerals help to improve the properties of the soil, change its composition. The composition of dolomite flour includes calcium and magnesium. Calcium has a beneficial effect on root system plants, reduces the acidity of the substrate. Magnesium takes part in photosynthesis.

Regular use of dolomite flour allows you to increase productivity, activate the growth of useful crops. With excessive acidity, the effect of other mineral fertilizers is neutralized. After the introduction of dolomite flour, digestibility improves useful substances plants.

We measure the acidity of the soil

In order not to cause harm, you need to know how to use lime fertilizer. Before applying it, it is necessary to check the acidity of the substrate. Based on the test results, it will become clear in what quantity to add dolomite flour, and whether it is worth doing. The easiest way to test soil acidity yourself is to test with litmus paper.

There are ways to approximately determine the acidity. Their use is advisable if litmus paper is not at hand. The simplest is to water the ground with vinegar. For this you need to take a small amount of soil from the garden, place in a glass. Pour some table vinegar on top. If foam appears on the surface of the substrate, then the earth has a very low acidity. If the liquid is completely absorbed, then the earth is very acidic.

Determine the acidity garden plot You can by looking at the growing weeds. On acidic soils, woodlice and plantain take root well. Neutral soils are attractive to nettles and quinoa. Chamomile and dandelion grow well on an alkaline substrate. If some of these plants dominate the site, then you can understand whether the land needs dolomite.

Determine the amount of fertilizer

Having determined the acidity of the soil in the area, you can add flour. For increased acidity (pH less than 4.5), 500-600 grams per 1 sq.m. With an average value (pH 4.5-5.2), 450-500 grams per 1 sq.m. is enough. If the soil has a weak acidity (pH 5.2-5.6), then the amount of dolomite flour should not exceed 350-450 g per 1 sq.m.

With a neutral acidity value (pH 5.5-7.5), it is sometimes necessary to add mineral flour. It all depends on the crops that are planned to be planted on this site. It is impossible to increase the quantity too much per 1 sq.m., as the acidity can be greatly changed, and this will negatively affect the quality of the soil.

The manufacturer's packaging with fertilizers contains instructions for use. It is recommended to add acidity-changing flour to the soil no more than once every three years. It is best to do this in the fall, as the main components of the flour enter into a chemical reaction with the elements that make up the soil. All by spring chemical reactions stop, and the earth acquires the necessary qualities.

Factory packaging with crushed dolomite.

results

After the application of dolomite flour, physical and Chemical properties soil. Dolomite composition enriches sandy soil with magnesium. As a result, the absorption of nutrients from the soil by plants is improved. The quality of the grown products increases, its safety improves.

The use of ground dolomite in the garden helps to neutralize slugs that can spoil most useful crops. The agent is not toxic, and the desired effect is achieved due to the structure of the flour. The smallest particles of calcium destroy the chitinous covers of pests, as a result of which the insects die.

It is useful to make dolomite flour under garden trees and shrubs. For stone fruit trees, the amount of fertilizer should be 1-2 kg. The introduced ground dolomite must be distributed around the shaft. It is not necessary to wait for the pre-winter period to fertilize trees. Soil enrichment with calcium can be performed immediately after harvest.

Blackcurrants and raspberries can be fertilized at the end of summer or autumn 1 time in 2 years. Under each bush, 0.5-1 kg of mineral must be added. The exact amount depends on the size of the bush and the frequency of fertilization.

Flour ready for soil application.

Advantages

Limestone, charcoal and some other substances in their properties resemble dolomite flour. However, ground rock has advantages over other fertilizers. Its use contributes to the most rapid and accurate deoxidation of the soil. This result is difficult to achieve when using wood ash, since the amount of calcium in this substance varies and depends on many factors. Fluffy lime deoxidizes the substrate well, but its incorrect dosage can cause plant burns.

Every gardener who wants to increase his crop knows what dolomite flour is. For this fertilizer in stores low price, so anyone can use ground dolomite for use on their site.

For normal growth and maturation different cultures use fertilizers. It is not uncommon to hear from specialists and agro lovers with experience about dolomite flour as a lime fertilizer. What is dolomite flour, composition, how it is used and for which crops it is suitable, we will tell our readers.

Dolomite lime - plant reaction and dosage

Lime fertilizer from dolomite flour is an ideal bait for crops such as: beets, carrots, onions. buckwheat, alfalfa, potatoes, flax, clover, etc.

Dolomite flour consists of a fine powder of light gray, brown or white color. The composition of the bait: limestone + boric acid. The composition of boric acid from different manufacturers may vary from 5 to 10 g per 1 kg of limestone. Since boric acid is included in the composition, dolomite flour is often used to disinfect and protect plants from insect pests. The limestone included is excellent tool bait for various crops. They began to be used more than 50 years ago, first in large agricultural lands, then in any private area. Fertilizer is inexpensive, but it brings a lot of benefits.

Dolomite flour is applied to any kind of soil on open beds or in greenhouses. especially effective for sandy or sandy soils. Since when used, the soil is enriched with magnesium. On neutral soil, it makes no sense to apply.

Pros of using lime fertilizer

It is necessary to make dolomite flour every 3-4 years, since the action is long-term. After using dolomite flour, the soil acquires a number of positive qualities:


The benefits of dolomite lime are undeniable. But for proper processing you need to fertilize correctly.

Dolomite lime application rates

It is necessary to apply lime fertilizer in accordance with the type of soil. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the acidity of the earth. For more information about lime application rates depending on the type of soil in the table:

It is important when applying to take into account not only the acidity, but also the lightness of the soil. So if the earth is light, then the dosage must be reduced by 1.5 times, for heavy clay add 10-15% of general rule. In order for the effect to be the same, it is necessary to try to cultivate the land evenly. If you pay in full necessary proportions ash, the effectiveness can last up to 5 years, and on dense soil up to 8 years.

To obtain greater efficiency, copper sulfate and boric acid are added to the soil along with dolomite flour. Microfertilizers will enhance the impact of dolomite.

More details on the application of bait can be seen on the video:


The reaction of various crops to dolomite soil fertilizer

All crops under which dolomite flour is applied are conditionally divided into several groups according to their reaction to fertilizers:

  1. Plants for which growth in an acidic environment is unacceptable: all types of beets, cabbage, sainfoin, alfalfa. Plants love the soil with a pH of 7 to 7.5, so the responsiveness to the use of lime is active, even when growing on slightly acidic soil.
  2. Plants that can grow on acidic soil, but are sensitive to it: winter and spring wheat, barley, soybeans, corn, cucumbers, onions, clover and broad beans, lettuce. Development goes well on soil close to acidic pH from 6 to 7. Lime is responsive to acidic, slightly acidic and neutral soil.
  3. Plants that react poorly to acidic soil: oats, buckwheat, carrots, radishes, tomatoes, rye. Grow well on the acidity of the soil pH from 4.5 to 7.5. They respond well to ashing on slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6. After application, it is recommended to use nitrogenous fertilizers.
  4. Plants that need to be limed only when growing on moderately and strongly acidic soil: flax, potatoes. So if you do not lime the potatoes, then it is covered with scab, the starch in the culture decreases.

Before applying fertilizer, it is necessary to analyze the soil in your area:

  1. For highly acidic soil, more lime should be used.
  2. absorption properties of the earth. For clay and loam it is necessary large quantity than for sand.
  3. The amount of precipitation in the region. Melt and rain water quickly wash out calcium from the fertile layer.

Features of making dolomitic lime

It is important during liming to evenly apply fertilizer to the soil and upper layer. To do this, after making the soil of the upper layer is mixed by 15-20 cm. For greater efficiency and a decrease in acidity, dolomite can be added along with manure, but they must not be mixed. lime flour is first introduced, then manure and everything is dug up. Application: Dolomite - 200-500 g/m 2 , manure - 4-5 kg/m 2 .

Dolomite flour does not damage or burn the stems and leaves of crops, so it can be used on lawns and grazing areas. Fertilize in any season, but it is easier to do this in the fall after harvesting. Apply once every few years, but on acidic soil it is better every year.

Norms and methods of application for various crops are shown in the table:

You can not make dolomite lime for crops: cranberries, gooseberries, blueberries, sorrel.

As we have already said, it is good to use lime dressing with nitrogenous and mineral fertilizers, but there are exceptions with which mixing is unacceptable: urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, granulated superphosphate, double superphosphate.

Benefits of using lime top dressing will be noticeable after a different period of time. Depends on factors:

  1. The acidity of the earth.
  2. The size of the applied lime fertilizers and their type.

The higher the acidity of the earth, the greater the norm of flour per 1 m 2 of soil. Since they diverge slowly in the soil, then maximum effect comes in 1-2 years.

Mineral and organic prikormki become more effective after the introduction of lime meal, so you can make them after processing by half ordinary norm. A greater effect appears after treatment with the introduction of acidic ammonia and potassium compounds.

Lime flour treatment according to Mitlider

According to the Mitlider method, it is necessary to add lime flour with a mixture: limestone or dolomite flour 1 kg + 7-8 g of boric acid. It is necessary to make it before digging for each crop separately or when changing one type to another. Together with the dolomite mixture, it is proposed to apply mineral fertilizers. If the earth is clayey and heavy, peatlands and wetlands, then the application rates for a bed up to 1 m wide are 200 g per 1 m p., on light soil, 100 g each. norms.

Many greenhouse and agricultural complexes work according to the Mitlider method. In private households, they began to use relatively recently. Efficiency occurs 1-2 years after application.

How to buy lime flour

Before you buy the composition, you need to look at the expiration date of dolomite flour. the point is that when proper storage the term is 2 years. But it is necessary to store bait in a dry room with a temperature not lower than +5 0 С. Unscrupulous sellers keep products in winter in unheated warehouses, where they lose a number of their qualities. It is difficult to determine this by eye before buying, so it is better to take products fresh year release.

They sell dolomite flour at large and small specialized stores, on the agro market or via the Internet. It is better to purchase in specialized centers. after asking the seller for a copy of the quality certificate for the goods.

You can buy dolomite flour from the manufacturer, but the batch size must be at least 1 ton. The price will be lower. Dolomite flour is sold in packaged cellophane or paper bags weighing 1, 5, 10, 15 kg. 50-100 g and a shaft in bags. The price for the convenience of readers is presented in the table:

Packing size price, rub.
50 g From 20
100 g From 35
1 kg From 340
5 kg From 1600

Dolomite lime in bulk in bags is cheaper (the price is from 135 rubles / kg), but it is more difficult for the seller to store it, and it is impossible for the buyer to determine the expiration date. It is safer to buy in the original packaging in bags of 1 and 5 kg.

Dolomite is a carbonate rock, which is a complex of calcium and magnesium, and the so-called "dolomite flour" is crushed dolomite. This mineral is widely used in crop production. Knowing what dolomite flour is, how to use this product in the garden and how to apply it, you can significantly improve the condition of the soil and increase plant productivity.

Most of the Russian garden plots located on acidic podzolic soils. Among horticultural crops it is difficult to find acidophilic plants that prefer to grow on such soils.

The acid reaction of the environment negatively affects the development of plants:

  • nitrogen is poorly absorbed, symptoms of nitrogen starvation are observed in plants: chlorosis, growth retardation, crushing of leaves and fruits, bud death;
  • phosphorus passes into an indigestible form, the plants show symptoms of phosphorus starvation: general inhibition, death of leaves, deterioration or cessation of flowering and fruiting;
  • useful soil flora is inhibited, pathogen activity increases, plants are severely affected by root rot and fungal infections.

At high level soil acidity (pH less than 5.5 units), it becomes mandatory to use a deoxidizer, which is dolomite flour. When transferred to the soil solution, calcium and magnesium carbonates neutralize acids and make the soil more suitable for crop production.

Speaking about why dolomite flour is needed in the garden, it is worth noting important role calcium in fertility. Analysis various types soil shows that the less this element contains the soil, the lower the fertility:

This dependence is explained by the fact that calcium ions help the formation of soil colloids, due to which porosity increases and soil structure improves.

What plants are useful?

Almost all horticultural crops will respond well to the introduction of dolomite flour.

It is especially useful when growing the following plants:

  • all types of cabbage;
  • radish, turnip, daikon;
  • beets and chard;
  • green crops: dill, parsley, celery, cilantro, salads, mustard;
  • onion crops: onion, leek, slime, batun, shallot, chives, garlic;
  • carrot;
  • potatoes and eggplants;
  • pepper;
  • garden strawberries;
  • pumpkin crops: cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins, squash;
  • gourds: watermelons and melons;
  • legumes: peas, beans, beans.

more tolerant of elevated level pH tomatoes, but the introduction of dolomite flour will also affect their yield favorably. Under acidophilic fruit and ornamental crops (blueberries, sorrel, cranberries, gooseberries, rhododendrons), the soil does not deoxidize.

How to use correctly?

Before using dolomite flour, it is necessary to determine the acidity and granulometric composition of the soil. The application rates directly depend on this:

soil pHGradingApplication rate of dolomite flour per 1 m2
5,0-5,5 Medium and light loam300 grams
350 grams
Sandy loam or sandy soil250 grams
4,5-5,0 Medium and light loam400 grams
Heavy loam, clay, peaty or silty soil450 grams
Sandy loam or sandy soil350 grams
Below 4.5Medium and light loam500 grams
Heavy loam, clay, peaty or silty soil550 grams
Sandy loam or sandy soil450 grams

If the pH of the soil is from 6.0 and above, it is not recommended to use dolomite flour.

Introduction of dolomite flour

Dolomite flour can be applied to the soil in four ways:

  • Throughout the area. Based on the application rates, the flour is scattered over the surface of the site, after which the soil is dug up.
  • In the garden or near the trunk circle. Based on the application rates, the flour is distributed over the prepared bed and embedded in the soil with a rake. Embedding in the trunk circle is carried out with a flat cutter, after which the soil is mulched.
  • Into the landing hole. When planting seedlings or when planting potatoes, 5 tablespoons of dolomite powder are poured into each hole, mixed with soil and planted.

To increase the effectiveness of dolomite flour, it is useful to apply it simultaneously with well-ripened compost, manure or leaf humus. It cannot be used simultaneously with mineral fertilizers. If this type of top dressing is preferred, deoxidizer and fertilizers are applied at intervals of at least 1 week.

Terms of application of fertilizer

Most often, dolomite flour is used in autumn or spring training soil. In autumn, this is done after harvesting, in spring - 2-3 weeks before sowing.

Dolomite powder can also be used in the summer. During this period, it is more convenient to process perennial crops, embedding the agent in trunk circles.

The frequency of treatments depends on the properties of the soil. On heavy clays, dolomite flour is used every year. On medium and light soils - 1 time in 3-5 years.

The effect of feeding

The effect of adding dolomite flour does not appear immediately. The shift in acidity occurs in a few months, therefore, on highly acidic soils, it is more profitable to till the soil in the fall. Spring and summer applications are carried out on well-cultivated soils in order to maintain optimal acid-base balance.

The systematic and competent use of dolomite flour in the garden leads to the following results:

  • a noticeable improvement in the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil;
  • increased activity of beneficial soil flora;
  • reducing the incidence of plant fungal and bacterial infections;
  • reducing the damage of plants by soil pests;
  • increase the power of the root system of plants, the formation of healthy even roots and tubers;
  • overall increase in crop yields.

The maximum effect develops 2-3 years after the introduction of dolomite powder and the transition of calcium and magnesium into the soil solution.

What can replace dolomite flour?

In addition to dolomite flour, the following means are used to deoxidize the soil:

MeansCharacteristicApplication method
Fluffy limeRepresents slaked lime– Ca(OH)2. It has a more active neutralizing effect than calcium carbonate. Requires a longer interval between tillage and planting.Deep incorporation into the soil when digging in the autumn, after harvesting. It is used no more than 1 time in 6 years.
wood ashDeoxidizing properties are softer than those of dolomite flour. Suitable for slightly acidic soils with a pH of at least 5.5. It is of value as a potassium-phosphorus fertilizer with a large additional set of elements - calcium, zinc, sulfur, etc.Closing under a shovel during spring or autumn processing soil. Nesting introduction into the holes when planting seedlings or planting potatoes. Summer watering with water solutions.
AgromelPartial analogue of dolomite flour, pure calcium carbonate, without magnesium carbonate. By deoxidizing effect it is equivalent to dolomite powder.In spring or autumn, it is closed under a shovel once every 6 years. It is applied to planting holes or beds, like dolomite flour. It dissolves well in water and is used for summer irrigation.

Thus, it is possible to replace dolomite flour on strongly acidic soils with either fluff lime or agromel. In areas with a slightly acidic soil reaction, it is more profitable to use wood ash.

Pros and cons of using

Like any other means, dolomite flour has its advantages and disadvantages:

  • Advantages– ecological cleanliness and safety, positive effect on soil flora, high efficiency in deoxidation and increasing soil fertility, the possibility of application throughout the season.
  • Flaw– gradual development of the effect.

Given the fact that dolomite flour has much more advantages than disadvantages, it can be considered an almost ideal tool for improving the soil. When using dolomite powder in accordance with the norms of application, no negative side effects not visible.

In the Moscow region, the soils are mostly clayey and acidic. They must be deoxidized, because nitrates accumulate in acidic soil. Aluminum and its salts in acidic soil take away potassium, calcium, magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, molybdenum and other trace elements, and plants starve and therefore their growth and development is delayed and even freezes. In the Moscow region, much more precipitation falls than is necessary for plant nutrition or evaporates. Many important elements just washed out, for example, calcium and magnesium, which are not only necessary for plant nutrition, but also needed to neutralize the soil environment.

To get rid of the acidic environment, use fertilizers with various connections calcium Ca, in particular calcium carbonate ( carbon dioxide CaCO₃). Advanced gardeners know that ash, slaked fluffy lime, chalk, crushed shell rock and dolomite flour can be used to deoxidize the soil. Today we will talk about the latter. Now you can safely buy dolomite flour in the departments for the garden and garden of supermarkets and garden centers, it is inexpensive. Sold in different packages from 1 kg, as well as in bulk.

What is dolomite flour?

is a dolomite rock crushed to a powder, the chemical formula of which is CaCO₃MgCO₃. This is mineral fertilizer natural origin, it is not additionally enriched with any other additives, but is used in pure form for, fruit and vegetable crops, flowers (including indoor). When using dolomite flour, the soil structure improves, acidity normalizes, weeds grow less, the activity of beneficial macro- and microorganisms is activated, plants are cleared of radionuclides.

Calcium and magnesium in dolomite flour are in carbonate form, they do not burn plant roots and soil living creatures. In addition, they accumulate in vegetables and fruits in small doses and do not harm human health. To apply dolomite flour, you need to know the acidity of the soil.

How to determine the acidity of the soil?

1.By the weeds. If plantain, wood lice, buttercup grow predominantly on the site, then the soil is acidic. Coltsfoot, wheatgrass, chamomile, clover, and dandelions prefer slightly acidic soil. Nettle and quinoa grow mainly on neutral soils. To be fair, it should be noted that modern weeds know how to adapt to any conditions and the same weeds can grow on soils with different acidity.

2.With the help of vinegar. This method was found by me on the Internet. A handful of garden soil sprinkled with vinegar. If the soil begins to bubble and swell, then the acidity is neutral or acidic. The soil in our area is acidic, however, the vinegar did not give any reaction. Therefore, I consider this method unreliable.

3.C help special devices or test strips. On sale there are measuring indicator strips or digital meters. You can even purchase 3 in 1 devices: to determine the acidity of the soil, humidity and light.

What plants do not need dolomite flour?

Plants that love or put up with acidic soil, do not need dolomite flour. Moreover, they do not do well in alkaline soils, which will have to be acidified. The most common are: and azaleas, heathers, magnolias, hydrangeas (,), lilies of the valley, tenacity, many ferns, camellias, most, Japanese quince, blueberries, cranberries, acacia, mosses, etc. Sorrel, radish prefer their vegetable crops to acidic soil, spinach, rhubarb. Slightly acidic - cucumbers and tomatoes. But, salads, asparagus and do not develop at all on acidic soils.

How to apply dolomite flour?

Since dolomite flour has a powdery structure, it is simply scattered superficially under mulch (peat, sand) or embedded in the soil. In order for the dolomite powder to be evenly sprayed, you can use a sieve and pour through it. You can do this throughout garden period annually. But it should be remembered that when making autumn and before winter, most of dolomite flour will be washed away by rains and melting snow. Therefore, I recommend spring and until mid-summer.

In horticultural literature, you can often find recommendations to use liming once every 3-5 years. This practice comes from the Soviet times of collective farms and state farms, when lime was poured in large volumes without special equipment and then gradually washed out 4-5 years before normal state soil. On private small areas this practice is unacceptable today. It is necessary to lime annually, observing the norms!

It should be remembered that when applied in autumn and before winter, most of the dolomite flour will be washed out by rain and melting snow. Therefore, I recommend spring and until mid-summer.

How to use dolomite flour in the garden and in the garden?

At my site in the Moscow region, on medium loam, I spray every spring 1 glass of dolomite flour per 1 m² both on lawns, and under decorative and fruit plants and vegetable crops.

Under fruit trees(apple, pear, cherry plum) and shrubs (red currant, black currant,) are brought into tree trunks with embedding in the soil or under mulch (peat, sand). They scatter under raspberries within a radius of 20-25 cm from the bush (peat, sand). Under, lifting the leaves, scatter dolomite flour within a radius of 10-15 cm from the bush with rakes embedded in the soil.

Dolomite flour in spring or autumn is added directly to the prepared soil when planting, mixing together with other components (peat, sand).

Dolomite flour can also be added to compost heaps, overlaying. Already in March-April, it is added to the surface layer in greenhouses.

How to make a Mittlider mix #1? You need to take 5 kg of dolomite flour and 50 g of boric acid (sold in pharmacies) or borax. Which means the same as 3.5 liters of dolomite flour and 2 tablespoons of boric acid or borax. Everything should be evenly, slowly, so as not to dust, mix. It is convenient to mix with a rubber-gloved hand.

With high acidity, the clay becomes dense, does not allow air to pass through, which is so necessary for the respiration of the roots. When dolomite flour is introduced into such soil, it becomes looser, in the form of small lumps, between which air passes. Of course, other ingredients must be added to pure clay to improve the structure, such as peat, compost, sand, fine gravel, bark, humus, etc.

The manufacturer of dolomite flour gives such instructions for use:

acidic soil with a pH less than 4.5 contribute

– on soils with a light structure 350-450 g/m²

— with an average structure of 500-600 g/m²

— with a heavy structure 600-700 g/m²

Medium acid soil with pH = 4.5-5.2 contribute

– on soils with a light structure 300-350 g/m²

— with an average structure of 450-500 g/m²

— with a heavy structure 500-600 g/m²

slightly acidic soil with pH = 5.2-5.7 contribute

– on soils with a light structure 250-300 g/m²

— with an average structure of 350-450 g/m²

With a heavy structure 400-500 g/m²

The use of dolomite flour helps to strengthen the cell walls of plant roots, and this, in turn, makes it difficult for all kinds of root fungal and bacterial infections to penetrate. This means plants get more nutrients through healthy absorptive roots.

What can you mix dolomite flour with?

Dolomite flour is only compatible with boric acid and blue vitriol. All other fertilizers: azophoska, nitrophoska, ammonium nitrate, urea, superphosphate, ammonium sulfate, manure, should be applied two weeks after the application of dolomite flour.

I believe that along with, and, dolomite flour should be used in every garden near Moscow. Then the plants will always be healthy, and the harvest will be environmentally friendly.

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