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Lime works best when it is mixed with the soil so it can come in contact with a large volume of the soil water. Since lime is not very soluble, it moves into the soil very slowly when applied to the soil surface

A little too much can raise pH to undesirable levels and keep it there, causing serious management problems. Make certain you know how much lime is needed, then apply it over a number of seasons until your soil is back in balance.

Sixteen chemical elements are required for the growth of all plants: carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen (these three are obtained from carbon dioxide and water), plus nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron, molybdenum, and chlorine. Some plant species also require one or more of the elements cobalt, sodium, vanadium, and silicon.

13 essential mineral nutrien

J. R. Brown (ed.), Recommended Chemical Soil Test Procedures for the North Central Region, Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station, Columbia, 1998

Heavy soils are those with a large component of clay in them, because the clay particles bind together to form a heavy, sticky lump which is difficult to dig. Because it is composed of so many fine particles which stick together easily, it is liable to compaction. It holds a lot of water and easily becomes waterlogged, so it is cold and wet in spring, and takes a long time to warm up.

Clay soils are usually acidic

Heavy clay soils can be improved by adding humus or other organic matter and sharp sand for better drainage

Plants require 13 mineral nutrient elements for growth

Macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur) are plant nutrients required in the largest amount in plants. Micronutrients (iron, copper, manganese, zinc, boron, molybdenum and chlorine) are required in relatively smaller amounts. Additional mineral nutrient elements which are beneficial to plants but not necessarily essential include sodium, cobalt, vanadium, nickel, selenium, aluminum and silicon