When should I apply lime to my land in south Alabama?

By Grant Woods,

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Question
Dr. Grant, I am from south Alabama and I have just recently acquired a new piece of property to hunt next fall and I’m wanting to plant spring plots for the first time. I did some soil test and my results say I need about 2000 lbs of lime per acre in one field and about 800 lbs of lime per acre in another. I also have to add some 34-0-0 fertilizer as well. I was wondering would it be alright to add the lime, fertilizer, and seed all in the same day/weekend or if I should add lime now and wait till the fall to plant? Also, if you have some eagle seed recommendations you would like to add then please do. Thank you in advance!

Hunter,

Congratulations on acquiring a hunting property!  I’m very proud of you for testing the soil!  I suggest you apply the lime now.  It takes agriculture lime months to significantly alter the soil’s pH!  I’m curious about the need to add only nitrogen (34-0-0).  Did you inform the soil lab what crops you wish to plant?  Different species requires different amounts of different nutrients.  For example soybeans require no or very little nitrogen but a lot of phosphorous and potassium.  Wheat and other small grain crop require a lot of nitrogen.  

I have a long term client in south Alabama that has great results with Eagle Seed forage soybeans.  They plant the Wildlife Manager’s blend.

Enjoy creation,

grant

February 7, 2016