Different varieties of squash (Cucurbita spp.) are favorite garden crops of many homeowners due to their fruits' distinct flavors, ease of growing and seemingly endless list of uses in the kitchen. Although squash plants require some special planting techniques, they're not particularly difficult to grow in a home garden. As with other plants, their soil may need to be amended prior to their planting. Whether or not to amend with lime depends on the soil.
Squash Soil Requirements
Although squash varieties are fairly tolerant of a wide range of conditions, their planting location matters. Among the conditions squash plants need are full-sun exposure, a soil pH level of 6.0 to 7.5 and well-drained, organically rich soil. Liming is an amendment practice that helps to raise the soil pH level and, in some cases, depending on the liming material, to increase certain nutrients, such as magnesium and calcium.
Your garden soil may differ from that of a neighbor's garden, depending on what was planted in the past, previous fertilizing efforts and ecological variances. Using a soil test kit will help you know whether or not to lime your soil prior to planting squash. Soil test kits are available at some plant nurseries and garden centers. The test requires the collection of soil samples from the planting site. The test kit may include instructions on how to test the soil samples yourself, or sending the samples to a reputable laboratory may be necessary. Besides pH level, soil can be tested for nutrient levels and various other factors. If the test results reveal your garden's soil pH level is under 6.0, then consider liming the soil.
If you want to add lime to your garden's soil, you may be confused as to which liming material to use. The soil test results should indicate that information either directly or indirectly. Ground limestone is mainly calcium carbonate, which means it adds calcium as well as lime to soil. Dolomitic limestone contains both calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate; so it adds magnesium, calcium and lime to soil. Both calcium and magnesium are essential nutrients for plants. Although lime dust is available, it is difficult to use due to the finely pulverized nature of the product. A pellet-form or granular-form liming material is easier than dust to spread and work into the soil. Fine dust liming materials, however, begin altering the soil's pH level sooner than pellets.
Application Time and Rate
Even though lime can be applied to soil any time of year, perform the soil test, get its results and apply lime, if necessary, with at least a few weeks to spare before planting squash. The lime needs time to change the soil's pH level. Soil test results should list exactly how much liming material, or the rate of liming material, to apply to the soil. If that isn't the case, however, 1 cup of dolomitic lime can amend 50 square feet of garden soil, according to the Sloat Garden Center website. After spreading the lime across the garden soil surface, mix it into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil.