Author/Reviewed By: Josh Miller, Sales Manager: Baker Lime & North America Minerals Published: 3/16/2018 – Updated: 6/26/2020
Raising livestock is a serious business. Whether it’s dairy cattle or show horses, the care and attention given to livestock animals’ overall health and well-being are vital. It’s not only critical to protect a livestock investment for financial reasons. It’s also the morally and ethically right thing to do. Barn lime can help.
Many cows and horses spend a good deal of their day in a stall. Barn-kept livestock is out of the elements and protected from extreme temperatures, pesky insects and dangerous predators. Also, many livestock farms simply don’t have the room to pasture their animals, which is especially true in dairy operations.
Stalls are highly efficient for individualizing animals. Stall quarters give horses and cows some personal space while allowing a sense of natural herding. Most livestock heads are perfectly content to stay in their stalls, provided they’re comfortable. When animals aren’t comfortable in their stalls, they can easily develop sores and diseases. Comfort level greatly depends on stall floor construction and covering. Today, many keepers use limestone for cattle and livestock stall bedding.
When it comes to improving your soil quality, you may be wondering whether to use barn lime or garden lime. While both can raise pH levels and provide key nutrients, there are some notable differences between these two soil amendments. In this article, we’ll compare barn lime vs garden lime to help you decide which is better for your needs.
What is Barn Lime?
Barn lime, also known as agricultural lime or aglime, is a coarse, crushed limestone product used for agricultural purposes It is comprised of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate and has a gritty, crumbly texture
Barn lime is commonly used for
- Neutralizing acidic soils and raising pH levels in fields and large gardens
- Providing essential calcium and magnesium to crops
- Drying out wet barn floors and animal enclosures to control odors and bacteria
- Serving as an absorbent bedding material in livestock stalls
Due to its large particle size and lower calcium content, barn lime is less effective at adjusting soil pH in small home gardens. It requires very high application rates to impact acidity. The coarse texture also makes it difficult to spread evenly over a limited area.
What is Garden Lime?
Garden lime has a much finer, powdery texture that allows it to break down quickly in the soil. There are two main types of garden lime:
Dolomite Lime – Made up of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. It has a slightly higher magnesium content than barn lime.
Calcitic Lime – Mostly pure calcium carbonate with very little magnesium.
Garden lime is commonly used for:
- Raising pH in acidic garden and lawn soils
- Providing essential calcium and magnesium nutrients
- Improving soil structure and nutrient availability
- Neutralizing soil toxicity caused by high levels of metals like aluminum
The fine texture and higher calcium content make garden lime ideal for small-scale use in home gardens and lawns. It can precisely adjust pH without over-application.
Key Differences Between Barn Lime and Garden Lime
Particle Size – Garden lime is a very fine powder. Barn lime particles are coarser.
Calcium Carbonate Content – Garden lime has a higher concentration of calcium carbonate.
Soil Amendment Ability – Garden lime effectively raises pH in acidic soils. Barn lime requires high rates to impact acidity.
Application Method – Garden lime can be spread by hand or with a small spreader. Barn lime needs mechanical application.
Cost – Barn lime is cheaper per pound. But more garden lime is needed to achieve results.
Availability – Garden lime is sold bagged. Barn lime is purchased in bulk.
When to Use Barn Lime
Barn lime is best suited for:
- Large farms, fields, orchards, and properties
- Correcting severely acidic agricultural soils that need dramatic pH changes
- Wet barns, stalls, and animal enclosures
- Commercial livestock bedding and absorbents
It provides an affordable way to neutralize soils over a vast area when applied at high rates with mechanical equipment. The coarse texture also makes it useful for soaking up moisture in wet animal environments.
When to Use Garden Lime
Garden lime is ideal for:
- Small vegetable and flower gardens
- Landscaping beds
- Lawns
- Containers
- Individual trees
It allows precise pH adjustment and nutrient delivery. The fine texture also permits even spreading by hand or with a push spreader. Garden lime is available in convenient bags at local garden centers.
Application Rates
Always follow manufacturer’s recommended application rates carefully. As a general rule:
- Barn lime application rates range from 1 to 5 tons per acre
- Garden lime rates are around 5 to 20 lbs per 100 sq ft
Too much lime can damage plants, so moderation is key. Test soil regularly and only apply lime when needed to maintain proper pH levels.
Using Lime to Optimize Soil Quality
With regular pH testing and careful application of the right type of lime, you can create an optimal soil environment for your plants to thrive.
Here are some tips for success with liming:
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Test soil pH at least once per year using an at-home test kit or professional lab analysis. This will determine if lime is needed and in what amounts.
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Choose garden lime for small gardens and lawns; use barn lime on larger properties. Match the lime to the scale of your application area.
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Till or work lime into the top 2-6 inches of soil for fastest reactivity.
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When using powdered lime, avoid drift onto plant leaves to prevent leaf burn.
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Pelletized lime is easier to spread evenly without dust issues.
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Re-test soil 4-6 weeks after liming to see if pH is in the ideal 6.2 to 6.8 range.
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Never apply more than 50 lbs of lime per 1000 sq ft at one time. Split heavy doses into smaller, periodic applications.
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Plan to lime in the fall every 1-2 years for gardens and every 3-5 years for lawns.
The Takeaway
Barn lime and garden lime share some similarities, but have distinct differences that make each one better for certain applications. Barn lime is an affordable agricultural liming agent for large areas. Garden lime allows precise pH control in small home gardens.
Choosing the right type of lime and using it properly will keep your soil in top condition for healthy, thriving plants. Test soil regularly, apply appropriate amounts based on soil analysis results, and lime as needed to maintain ideal pH.
Bedding Choices for Livestock Stalls
Livestock stall floors have three construction components. First is the subsurface or base support. Today, all barn designs have topsoil removed, regardless of whether they have porous or impervious beds. Left in place, organic topsoil turns into a mess and presents high health hazards from decomposition, which allows weed growth and insect breeding. Barn builders remove all natural organic material and then build up an inert base.
Next, builders lay a top surface. It might be cast concrete or pavement for impervious stall floors, or it might be some porous material like sand, gravel or crushed limestone. Other materials are available as well, such as wood planks, rubber pavers and polypropylene mats. However, due to budget and maintenance issues, these alternatives are not commonly used.
This completes the main floor base, but whether the floor base is solid or free-draining, all stalls still require some form of bedding material. Softer top dressings serve several purposes. One is adding a spongy layer that the animal can comfortably stand on or lie down in. Another reason for using top bedding is waste management. Liquid urine and solid feces or manure need strict control.
Good stall bedding has five characteristics: It must provide comfort, control moisture, stay clean, be inert and have the proper particle size. Crushed limestone does an excellent job of delivering a semi-solid base that drains urine and allows easy manure muck-out. However, limestone for livestock stalls still needs some sort of surface bedding. The following are the options or choices to use as livestock bedding material:
- Straw: Most livestock raisers use straw as their universal choice — a by-product of small grains like wheat and barley. It’s the non-palatable stocks and sheaths left over after grain harvest. Straw is soft, absorbs liquids well and doesn’t adhere to animal coats. It’s also cheap and readily available.
- Hay: Hay is a second choice next to organic straw. It’s a whole organic material that is palatable and usually used for animal feed. Only poor-grade hay gets placed as stall bedding. It’s also soft, controls moisture and manages well on the floor. On the downside, hay contains seeds, which germinate and cause pest and weed issues.
- Wood Shavings: Shavings are some of the best stall bedding materials. Sawmills produce shavings in the kiln-dried lumber planning process. Shavings are mid-sized and manage well on stall floors. They’re exceptionally clean and soft, making them ideal coverings over crushed limestone surfaces. Unfortunately, shavings are in high demand and can be costly.
- Wood Chips: Wood chips also work well to provide cushioning and liquid management. Chips are made during debarking of raw logs. They contain original moisture and haven’t been artificially dried as with shavings. Chips introduce an already wet environment that encourages fast rot and mold. Chips also have natural oils in the bark that can stain an animal’s coat.
- Sawdust: Although sawdust is cheap and plentiful, it’s a poor choice for livestock bedding material. Sawdust particles are too fine. When wet, this material forms clumps and retains liquid rather than draining freely. Sawdust also sticks to livestock coats and makes grooming a chore. With dairy and nursing cows, sawdust stays on udders, which is terribly unhealthy.
- Sand: As with sawdust, sand is too fine for practical use. Although it’s inexpensive and in unlimited supply, sand is hard to maintain. It tracks when wet and blows when dry. Sand does have one clear advantage, though — it’s soft and forgiving to hooves and hides.
- Clay: This material is a popular one for bottom base layers. Clay occurs naturally in most parts of the country and is virtually free. Left undisturbed, clay bases are exceptionally stable. However, loosed and wetted clay turns into a soupy mess that sticks to animal hooves like soggy socks. Pure clay also has no percolation and traps water. Barn builders occasionally blend clay with sand to give bigger particle size and a better drainage compromise.
- Limestone dust: Crushed limestone in a size 10 Mesh screening is the optimum livestock stall base material. That specific crush and screening is the perfect size to let particles pack but stay porous enough to drain.
- Other materials: Barn keepers can get highly creative in sourcing stall bed supplies. Availability and affordability are key factors in sourcing bedding material. Hemp is an interesting material as a straw substitute. It’ll be more available as the American hemp industry expands. Many owners use newspaper and other recycled paper products as bedding. Some even add corn stubble, peanut hulls and tobacco stems.
Crushed Limestone Is Ideal for Livestock Stalls
Powdered dolomite lime is excellent for all types of plant agriculture, and solid hydrating limestone is great for building. Both serve their purposes and have tremendous demand. However, there’s a medium between powdered limestone and massive chunks. It’s called crushed limestone, and it comes in various screening sizes. 10 Mesh limestone crush is the one used in livestock stalls.
Can you use Lime in Your Barn? First Saturday Lime First Impressions {Barn Cleanout}
FAQ
Can barn lime be used for gardens?
Barn lime is often sold as a deodorizer and moisture control for horse stalls or as a garden soil amendment.Mar 2, 2023
What is the difference between lime and garden lime?
Lime is a soil amendment made by grinding limestone, a naturally occurring type of rock that is very high in calcium. Two types of lime are commonly used in lawns and gardens, agricultural lime and dolomitic lime. Agricultural lime, also sold as garden lime, is made from calcium carbonate.
Is barn lime the same as First Saturday Lime?
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Composition:Both First Saturday Lime and barn lime primarily contain calcium carbonate (CaCO3).
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Processing:First Saturday Lime undergoes a process that concentrates and strengthens it, making it more effective as an insect deterrent and odor absorber. Barn lime is typically just ground limestone, with varying levels of purity.
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Purpose:Barn lime is often used for soil amendment, moisture control, and odor control in stables or barns. First Saturday Lime is specifically formulated for pest control, odor reduction, and moisture management in areas like chicken coops and stables.
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Safety:Barn lime is considered safe and non-toxic. First Saturday Lime is also designed to be safe for use around animals and people.
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Effectiveness:First Saturday Lime is considered more effective as a pest control agent and odor absorber compared to barn lime, which can have limitations in wet environments and may not neutralize odors as effectively.
Can I use barn lime in my chicken coop?
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Moisture control:Barn lime helps absorb moisture, keeping the coop drier, which is beneficial for chicken health and reduces the risk of fungal growth.
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Odour control:It helps neutralize odors, creating a cleaner and more pleasant environment.
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Pest deterrence:While not as effective as FS lime, it can still help deter some pests like mites, lice, and flies due to its alkaline nature.
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Antibacterial properties:It can help eliminate harmful bacteria.
What is the difference between garden lime and barn lime?
Soil amendment ability – Garden lime effectively raises soil pH; barn lime requires very high rates to impact acidity. Application methods – Garden lime can be spread by hand or with push/handheld spreaders; barn lime requires mechanical spreaders. Cost – Barn lime is cheaper per pound than bagged garden lime products.
What is the difference between bagged and barn lime?
Cost – Barn lime is cheaper per pound than bagged garden lime products. But more garden lime is required to achieve results. Availability – Bagged garden lime is sold at garden centers and hardware stores; barn lime is purchased in bulk agriculturally. Always match the lime type to the intended use:
What is the difference between garden lime and agricultural lime?
Garden lime and agricultural lime refer to the same soil amendment made of calcium carbonate. They are both used to increase the soil pH level, making it more alkaline. The main difference lies in their application rates and methods. Hydrated lime, on the other hand, is a calcium hydroxide compound that acts faster and is more effective.
Does barn lime help in the growth of gardens?
Barn lime can help maintain a good soil pH and contribute to the growth of gardens when applied properly and under the right circumstances. Your soil’s quality is important when growing or establishing a healthy garden. There is an assortment of products available, including lime, fertilizers, and pesticides.
What is barn lime?
Barn lime, also known as hydrated lime, is a popular choice for farmers and gardeners alike. It is made by mixing calcium oxide with water, resulting in a fine white powder that is easy to spread. Barn lime is highly alkaline and has a pH of around 12, making it an effective way to raise the pH of acidic soil.
What is the main component of barn lime?
Barn lime, also known as quarry lime, ag lime, dairy lime or garden lime, is primarily made of calcium carbonate, or ground limestone.