Cob:lime misinformation> was wattle wall

[Charmaine R Taylor]

Myrna said: Hydrated lime is not used for organic gardening and is on 
the no-no list because of its chemically derived state.

+++++++++++This is simply not true...lime is inert, and it is only crushed, heated and slaked, there is no "chemical" processing other than the exothermic reaction when heat is given off during slaking, and that is at the factory.   The NO NO part may simply be the fact that is it production process and and requires fuel to heat it...not for any other reason.

Lime IS very drying to the skin and can burn sensitive people, always wear protection.

Actually in the 1920s hydrated lime was used for gardening, is neutralizes acidic soil, as  simple crushed lime is  not going to react with the soil AT ALL.

Dolomitic lime is just one type of lime based on it's origin, the US has lots of dolomitic lime , and  high calcium lime is found in the US and Europe. The Dolomite Mt. ranges are dolomitic lime.

Hydrated lime combines with the soil to stabilize, neutralize   and " sweeten" it, making it better for growing.   Crushed lime, Ag lime-- is just a ground filler, not going to do anything by separate particles, which is a small assistance to the gardener.

There is a lot of misinformation on products out there, and lime is the biggest one.  It doesn't hurt to use just Ag lime, but it doesn't do much either, and it is cheap.  You can get crushed gypsum wall board from deinstallers and add that to a garden and it does the same thing..as a filler to break up clay.

 My comments come from extensive research in the history of lime use in the US, plus documentation by the National Lime Assn. 

Powdered hydrated lime spread on the garden and raked in will do much more than Ag lime, but ALL people should  wear gloves and goggles due to the drying nature. LIme is not toxic or harmful, bust harsh to skin.

Actually people EAT lime all the time..look on a package of TUMS and see the ingredient..calcium carbonate..lime..food grade, to neutralize acids..just like it does for the soil.

I recommend people read the free info on the web on lime to learn more.

National Lime Association at http://www.lime.org


Lime Online italy at http://www.limeonline.it
Has many good articles in English

Consortium of producers-
http://www.e-limecementgypsum.com/

J & J Sharpe are Lime specialist suppliers and contractors. 
http://www.jjsharpe.co.uk/

Limewash
http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/awash/awash.html

Battersby Ornamental Lime Plasters-restoration:
http://www.battersbyornamental.com/

AU- Lime over SB renders Article:
-http://barney.webace.com.au/~agstraw/lime.html

Natural Cement , at http://www.naturalcement.com, is all about a
unique European imestone with amazing properties of fast hardening.

Articles on Pozzolans (clay binders for lime) The best site is
theNational Parks Service online at http://www2.cr.nps.gov/tps, an
excellent list of preservation and restoration articles, many are good for natural
building. Also see this article at 
http://www.qcl.com.au/pozz/tech/poz_tncn.htm


Ms. Charmaine  Taylor/ Taylor Publishing
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http://www.papercrete.com
PO Box 375, Eureka  CA 95534
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707-441-1632