The Ultimate Guide for Purchasing Asphalt In Sussex County

Asphalt has literally been used in millions of residential and commercial projects over the years. Between its ease-of-use, flexibility, and durability, it has proven itself to be one of the most reliable and popular materials that mankind has ever used. In fact, our world could very well look a lot different if asphalt didn’t exist.

If you’re planning on incorporating asphalt into an upcoming residential or commercial project, there’s a good chance that you probably have some questions about its usage. We’ve covered asphalt topics in the past and will definitely do so in the future, but we thought it’d be helpful right now to provide you with an ultimate guide to asphalt in Sussex County that will deliver a general overview of the use of this great material.

What to Know About Your Project

Before you begin any project, here are the most important factors to consider prior to purchasing the required asphalt in Sussex County:

Project’s Parameters

The first thing you want to know is what the project’s overall parameters are going to be. In other words, you need to be able to explain to the landscape designer and materials supplier how your project will utilize asphalt.

Size of Overall Area

Next, you need to take into account the overall size of the area where you will be laying the asphalt. It is important to include calculations for each section, so if you have a bunch of small areas to cover, make sure you add up all of their dimensions.

Type of Asphalt You’ll Need

The type of asphalt you’ll need will depend on a variety of factors, including whether you’re using it in a residential or commercial project. This is something that you will want to discuss with your landscape designer before the project begins.

Bulk Material Needs

Like most things, purchasing asphalt in bulk will allow you to save some money. Whether or not you need to purchase in bulk will depend on how much asphalt you actually need in order to complete the project.

Pick-up or Delivery

It’s always best to purchase materials from a supplier that owns a brick and mortar store, which means you’ll be able to either pick up the asphalt or have it delivered directly to you. Just keep in mind that delivery adds to the cost of your project.

Steps to Take for Purchasing Asphalt

Once you know all of the basics of your asphalt needs, it will be time to actually purchase the asphalt in Sussex County. Here are the simple steps that you should take:

Make Initial Contact Quickly

The sooner you can make contact with a supplier, the more quickly you can begin the landscape project, obviously. But, more importantly, when you give additional time between the initial contact and the start of the project, the supplier will have a better opportunity to ensure that your calculations are correct and then get the asphalt to you.

Inquire About Credit Opportunities

Materials suppliers absolutely love to feel as if they are a part of your landscape project right from the get-go. By creating a personal rapport with the supplier, you are creating a partnership where getting great results will be a factor for everyone involved.

Discuss the Project’s Details

The next step to take when purchasing asphalt from a material supplier is to discuss all of the details of the project that were indicated above, plus anything else he or she wants to know. This will not only improve your relationship with the supplier but will also solidify the project’s scope and specifications.

Ask for Other Pertinent Info

This is the time where you can ask any other pertinent information that you would like to know, such as a dispatch number to discuss deliveries, the hours of the supplier which are especially important if you’re a highway contractor, and anything else. And feel free to add any questions to the list along the way.

Common Agricultural Lime Uses & Their Benefits

Limestone is a staple for many construction and landscaping projects in NJ and throughout the world, but the naturally occurring and extremely versatile material is used for a whole lot more than just building. Anyone with even the most slightly green thumb can benefit from working with agricultural lime.

Generally known as aglime, this finely crushed limestone is capable of fertilizing everything from large fields of crops to small, home victory gardens, and even a grassy front lawn. Because of the variety of agricultural lime uses, we’ve dedicated this post to exploring what aglime does, how it works, and how it can be used in NJ.

Agricultural Lime At-A-Glance

As mentioned previously, agricultural lime is nothing more than limestone that has been crushed down to a very tiny particulate matter. The material must be pulverized very finely in order to have a positive impact on soil. In fact, the smaller the particle size of the agricultural lime, the more effective it will be.

While traditional limestone is often used in the production of agricultural lime, dolomitic lime may also be selected for this purpose. Traditional limestone is able to add much-needed calcium into the soil in order to restore soil health and improve growing conditions.

Because calcium is a base, aglime is often used in soil that is too acidic to grow healthy plant life. Dolomitic lime is also able to bring calcium into the soil, but it also provides magnesium – another base compound. Soil that has been deprived of magnesium may benefit from dolomitic lime over traditional aglime.

Agricultural Lime Uses

Both traditional and dolomitic aglime are invaluable to farmers, gardeners and homeowners alike. Agricultural lime can be effectively used to treat many soil problems and to restore health to any property. Here’s a look at some of the most common uses for aglime:

Restoring pH Balance

There are many reasons why soil may become too acidic. Two of the most common reasons are exposure to acidic rain and over-working the land. After many seasons of growing and harvesting crops and introducing chemicals or fertilizers to the earth, soil can become very acidic.

This, in turn, creates poor growing conditions for most plants. Because both traditional limestone and dolomitic limestone contain such high quantities of calcium, their introduction to acidic soil can help to raise pH levels and create balance.

Reducing Toxicity

In some instances, excessive quantities of manganese and aluminum may be present in the soil. Aglime can help to lower the overall toxicity of these elements which works to improve soil microbe activity. In addition to this, reducing toxicity can also improve soil structure and integrity.

Adding Nutrients

Throughout the years, soil may begin to lose nutrients that are essential for growing healthy plants. Agricultural lime brings important nutrients like calcium and phosphorous back to this soil while also making it much easier for plants to absorb “food” through their root systems.

Because agricultural lime is so effective in the long term, you’ll find that many different types of people can benefit from using the material. You’ll see aglime used for:

Commercial Farming

Aglime is frequently used to improve growing conditions in fields that have been frequently used for growing commercial crops. This allows farmers to continue to make good use out of the land throughout the years.

Personal Gardens

Homeowners who enjoy growing vegetables, frats, flowers, or other plants throughout their properties may find it necessary to add aglime to their soil on occasion in order to keep it healthy.

Commercial Landscapes

Businesses, large commercial and institutional campuses, and other larger facilities may choose to work with agricultural lime in order to keep their landscapes looking lush and healthy.

Parks

City and county parks might elect to add agricultural lime to their soil in order to keep fields vibrant and grassy.
Residential Lawns – Homeowners having trouble keeping their lawns green and beautiful may benefit from adding aglime to the mix.

Getting the Most Out of Agricultural Lime

One thing to keep in mind when working with agricultural lime is that it will take some time in order to see positive results. Unlike many chemical fertilizers, agricultural limestone relies on the passage of time in order for its nutrients to be released into the soil and to take effect. Once the lime begins to work, however, it offers a highly effective and long-lasting solution.

In order to get the best results, you need to understand how to properly use aglime. As mentioned previously, you’ll need to make sure that your aglime is ground down as finely as possible in order to ensure maximum benefit.

This is because, of course, the smaller the particulate matter, the more efficient and effective it will be. On top of this, you will need to consider your plant’s needs in terms of nutrients and pH levels.

This will clue you in as to whether or not you could benefit from using dolomitic lime, and it will also give you a better sense of how much lime to introduce to your soil.

Make sure that you talk with a trusted professional about how much aglime to add to your soil. Under-spreading the material won’t do your soil any good, while over-applying the material could cause even more problems. Take care to add the right quantity and to spread the aglime evenly and consistently over your soil.

Working with Aglime in NJ

As a leading manufacturer and supplier of agricultural lime in NJ and its surrounding areas, Braen Stone is your number one stop for boosting soil health. We offer high-quality agricultural lime at fair wholesale prices.

As industry experts, our team is qualified to help you make decisions regarding the type of aglime you use for your project and the correct quantity needed.

Our aglime can be picked up at your leisure or can be bulk delivered to areas throughout parts of NJ, NY, NYC and limited parts of PA. Give us a call or visit us to learn more and get started today.

Agricultural Lime: Prices, Uses & Questions

When the acidity levels of soil become too high, vegetation suffers. This can occur for a number of different reasons including acidic rain, the use of certain fertilizers or pesticides, frequent crop cycles, etc.

Fortunately, you don’t need to completely replace the soil in your field, garden or lawn in order to improve growing conditions.

The simplest, most affordable and most effective means of restoring proper pH levels within your soil is by utilizing agricultural lime (or simply, aglime).

If you’ve never applied aglime before, you may have some questions and concerns about how the material works, what it actually is, best practices for its purchase and application and what you should expect to pay.

To walk our customers through the process of choosing and using aglime, we’ve dedicated this post to answering some of the most frequently asked liming questions.

What is agricultural lime?

Aglime is essentially just limestone or dolomite that has been ground, washed and screened for use as a soil treatment. The chemical makeup of the aglime makes it possible for essential minerals like calcium and magnesium to be reintroduced into the ground and for pH levels to be restored to neutral. At the same time, the pulverized limestone makes it easier for water to penetrate highly acidic soil and improves a plant’s ability to absorb nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.

What types of agricultural lime are available?

If you’ve decided to use aglime to improve the soil conditions throughout your property, you’ve probably noticed that you have several different options. You’ll need to be aware of the specifications of each to ensure that you select the right material for your needs.

  • Calcitic Lime – Calcitic lime is just another name for regular aglime that has been made solely from crushed limestone. The material’s high calcium content is what allows it to neutralize acidity and improve growing conditions.
  • Dolomitic Lime – As the name implies, dolomitic lime is manufactured from pulverized dolomite. Although dolomite is very similar to limestone and is equally as effective in raising soil pH levels, it should be noted that dolomite offers an excellent supply of magnesium in addition to calcium. This is really only important in fields and gardens where magnesium levels are found to be low.
  • Dry Lime – Dry lime is simply the ground limestone or dolomite in its pure, crushed form. When considering using dry lime, you should keep in mind that the smaller the particle size, the faster the reaction with the soil will occur.
  • Liquid Lime – Liquid lime is comprised of 50% dry aglime and 50% water. Some people prefer to use liquid lime because it tends to offer faster results and it’s also easier to spread it more uniformly across large areas than dry lime. The downside is that more frequent applications are generally required.

How should agricultural lime be applied?

In order to get the most benefit from your aglime, you’ll need to keep a few important items in mind throughout the application process:Volume Required – Different plants thrive in soils with varying pH levels. Calculating how much aglime will be required to reach these specific pH levels can be quite complicated, so it’s advisable that you work with a liming professional to determine how much to apply to your field, lawn, or garden.

Even Application – In order to get the best results, it’s very important that you take the time to carefully spread lime uniformly throughout your coverage area. Be sure that you don’t overlook any corners and that you don’t complete double applications in one or more areas. Slight overlapping is generally acceptable as a practice for ensuring evenness of spread. Avoid applying aglime when winds are more that 10mph as it can scatter the materials and reduce uniformity.

Tillage – Whenever it’s possible, your liming materials should be worked or tilled into this soil. Agricultural lime that’s only applied to the surface of the ground won’t react as quickly. This is because when lime is actually worked into the earth, a larger portion of the aglime’s surface area will be exposed to the soil. Tilling the aglime also minimizes the risk of losing any liming materials to wind or the elements.

Necessary Tools/Equipment – When tilling lime, it’s recommended that the lime be disked in at least twice before being plowed under for maximum distribution. Without the right equipment, you could end up with uneven spread. Those working with liquid lime will also need to make considerations for transporting water to the desired coverage area and spraying.

How quickly does agricultural lime work?

Most users are anxious to see a positive improvement in the pH of their soil, but it’s important to keep in mind that several factors will come into play as the aglime begins to do its work. The first thing to note is that water is required for lime to react with the soil.

If the earth is dry, you can expect it to take longer to get measurable results. Because of this, it’s smart to apply lime well before your next growing season. If your soil has an extremely low pH level, you will probably be able to see results more quickly, although it will still take time for the soil to be fully neutralized.

The percentage of calcium present in the aglime also makes a difference with regard to how long the liming process will take.

Generally speaking, aglime with a high calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) will be able to reduce acidity levels more quickly than those with a lower CCE. Finally, finer liming particles are more efficient than course materials.

How frequently should agricultural lime be applied?

In addition to measuring pH levels which will reveal the active acidity of the soil, it’s also important to consider the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the earth. The CEC measures both the active and reserve acidity of the soil. If a soil has a low CEC it will actually have less total acidity that soils with a high CEC, even if the pH is the same.

Even though less agricultural lime is required to correct soil with a low CEC, it may need annual applications to maintain pH levels.

Soil with a high CEC on the other hand might initially need a larger application of liming materials, but won’t likely need a repeat application for several years. The level of production and chemicals introduced to the soil should also be considered when planning for how frequently liming must occur.

Can agricultural lime be used with other chemicals?

Depending on your needs, it may be important for you to understand how aglime works with:

  • Fertilizers – Many fertilizers contribute to the increase in a soil’s acidity levels. Fertilizers can also cause nutrients to be more quickly depleted from the earth. As a result, agricultural lime may need to be applied more often in fields and gardens where fertilizers are used.
  • Herbicides – Be mindful of the fact that some herbicides are dependent on a soil’s pH levels and could be impacted by the reaction with the liming material that you use.

Where can I get the best prices on agricultural lime?

When purchasing agricultural lime, you should understand that the “best” price isn’t necessarily the same thing as the “cheapest” product.

While you want to keep your costs at a minimum, you also don’t want to sacrifice the quality of the materials that you introduce to your soil. Purchasing from an online or street-corner seller could get you the lowest price, but you have no guarantee about where the materials came from or what its CCE is.

You may also be tempted to buy from a major retailer that you feel you can trust, but these chain stores don’t manufacture their own liming materials and will be equally unable to answer important questions about the product. At the same time, their prices will likely be higher, as they must resell the aglime for a profit.

Purchasing your agricultural lime from a direct supplier like Braen Stone is the smartest thing you can do. We own and operate our own quarries, providing us with essential information about the quality and chemical makeup of your liming materials.

We offer competitive wholesale pricing to our customers and can work with you to calculate your liming needs. Our aglime is available for pickup or bulk delivery throughout parts of NJ, NY, NYC and PA.

Agricultural Limestone vs. Pelletized Lime

It’s important to explore the underlying causes of unhealthy soil and the materials that can be used to improve growing conditions. Materials such as, agricultural limestone and pelletized lime, can help to raise pH levels, improve the soil’s moisture retention and replenish the earth with nutrients for plant life.

While both products are effective, though, many people find themselves wondering about the actual differences between agricultural limestone and pelletized lime. To clear up any questions you may have we’ve put together a comparison of the two.

Symptoms of Acidic Soil Levels

There are very common signs that indicate your soil is acidic. If you’ve encountered nutrient-deprived crops, ineffective weed control products and unhealthy lawns, these are all symptoms of high acidic soil levels. It’s important to realize these symptoms so that you can correct the acidity and get things back to normal. In order to properly balance the soil’s pH levels, the use of lime products are mandatory.

Agricultural Limestone vs. Pelletized Lime: Uses, Benefits and Cost

Aglime

After ongoing exposure to fertilizers and the continuous planting and growth of crops, soil tends to grow acidic and lose valuable nutrients. This reduces the nutritional value of crops, and can make them unsafe for consumption. Agricultural lime counteracts these problems and restores the soil to optimal plant growing conditions.

Although it may take up to a year before the full effect of aglime is realized, positive results can be measured within the soil in a matter of weeks – especially in cases where the earth is very acidic. To receive the full benefit of the material, aglime must be evenly spread across the entire surface of the soil, before being tilled and finally plowed into the earth.

Aglime should be applied when wind speeds are low, as it tends to be dusty, and it’s most effective in moist conditions. Agricultural lime is often selected for farm fields where ongoing crop growth is essential, as the material is long-lasting and extremely efficient in terms of restoring health and balance to the soil.

In areas where lime is prevalent and is regularly mined, aglime is extremely affordable. When manufactured and purchased locally from a direct supplier or quarry, it is actually one of the most cost-effective means of balancing soil pH levels.

Pelletized Lime

Pelletized lime is developed through the process of granulating finely ground aglime. These small, fine particles are then bonded together with lignosulfonates (typically 9% of the finished product contains these lignosulfonates). As in the case of aglime, pelletized lime is used to raise the pH levels of soil, in order to accommodate plant life.

One advantage of pelletized lime is that less material is required to balance the soil than traditional aglime (at a ratio difference of 1:10). The product is quite easy to distribute across the surface of the soil, and doesn’t need to be tilled into the earth.

An application of 1 inch of water should be applied on top of the pelletized lime to allow it to filter into the ground and to avoid burning the land.

Finally, palletized lime is not dusty like aglime. All of these factors make the product desirable for homeowners who want to improve the health of their lawns or gardens without being required to utilize specific tools or equipment.

Although less material is required when using pelletized lime, it should be noted that the product is more expensive than aglime.

Agricultural Limestone vs. Pelletized Lime: Which Should You Choose?

When considering agricultural limestone vs. pelletized lime, three factors are key: need, ability and budget. Studies have shown that aglime and pelletized are equally effective and begin working in a similar timeframe, but because pelletized lime is more expensive, it’s not practical for farmers to use in larger fields.

Aglime, however, requires more work and equipment than pelletized lime, making the latter more practical for homeowners.

Which product will be best for you will ultimately depend on which one fits your need best.

Our core delivery areas for agricultural limestone include NJ, NY and Eastern PA.

Agricultural Lime vs. Dolomite Lime

For centuries, the natural stone product of agricultural lime has been used to improve growing conditions for farm fields, gardens and even residential lawns. While liming is extremely common in the agricultural sector, there are different options to consideration. One of the most common limes compared to aglime is dolomitic lime.

These all-natural stone products have proven themselves to be to be invaluable to the agricultural industry, as well as in residential applications throughout the centuries. Nevertheless, even though both materials have been around for a long time, there is still a lot of confusion about which should be used for what purposes and when.

Discussing the difference between the two is important so that you can figure out which is right for your needs. Utilizing the wrong product could lessen the impact of the lime on your soil. To avoid making any mistakes, take a look at this breakdown of both standard agricultural lime and dolomitic lime.

When to Use Aglime or Dolomite

Before you can even begin to think about whether agricultural lime or dolomite could benefit your soil, you first need to have an understanding of when these materials are actually necessary.

Aglime and dolomite both become useful when soil becomes too acidic. This typically occurs after exposure to acid rain, after frequent use of fertilizers and other chemicals or even after the soil has simply become deprived of important nutrients from years of planting and harvesting crops.

Additionally, because lime and dolomite are alkaline, they help to raise the soil’s pH back to a level that is conducive to growing plants. Regardless of whether or not you suspect that your soil may be too acidic, it’s always a good idea to have a sample of the dirt tested on an annual basis.

For larger, commercial fields, it’s generally advisable to send a sample off to a professional testing company for a readout. Homeowners however can usually get away with purchasing a home testing kit. Once you’ve concluded that your soil’s pH needs to be elevated, you should start considering the right solution for your needs.

Agricultural Lime

Often referred to as “aglime“, agricultural lime is simply limestone that has been pulverized down to a fine particle size and introduced to acidic soil. Lime is selected because it contains such a high amount of calcium, which works to neutralize the soil’s pH levels.

In addition to this, agricultural lime is also able to increase the ability of vegetation to absorb essential nutrients from the ground. Typically, aglime is spread in its pure, dry “calcitic” form, meaning that the product is comprised mainly of calcium carbonate.

At the same time, you may also find some other variations of agricultural lime. Liquid lime, for example, is applied using a combination of approximately 50% dry aglime and 50% water.

Pros

The first obvious benefit to using agricultural lime is that it has been proven time and again to effectively balance out soil pH levels and improve plant health. Soil that has become to acidic as the result of frequent crop cycles or acid rain makes it difficult for nutrients to be absorbed through a plant’s root system or even for water to fully penetrate the earth.

When soil is neutralized, these problems are eliminated and vegetation can thrive. Lime also stimulates the growth and increases activity of micro-organisms in the soil that can assist with growing conditions. Another great thing about aglime is that, when properly tilled into the soil, additional applications of the material will not need to be spread very frequently.

The effects of the material will be long lasting. And although it does take some time for aglime to completely work its magic, measurable results can be detected quickly in soils that are suffering from excessively low pH levels. Liquid lime does tend to work more quickly than dry lime, but there are some considerations to be made when using this type of product.

Considerations

As mentioned previously, a little bit of patience is required when waiting for agricultural lime to fully correct your soil. Although some positive results may be observed, it will likely take a full year before the desired pH levels have been restored.

Because of this, it’s very important to make plans to spread aglime across affected areas in advance. The best time to till aglime into the soil is at the end of the growing season. This will give the material enough time to be absorbed into the soil and react before the following planting season. Because dry lime is so small in particle size, it can be blown in the wind, so it should be applied in calm weather conditions.

It should also be noted that agricultural lime reacts more quickly with water. If your soil is particularly dry, it may take more time for you to achieve the desired results. It’s for this reason that many people turn to liquid lime.

While liquid lime will react faster and can be more evenly spread, however, it is also more labor intensive and liquid lime will need to be applied more frequently than dry lime.

Dolomitic Lime

As the name suggests, dolomitic lime is manufactured by crushing dolomitic limestone down to very small pieces. As with agricultural lime, dolomitic lime works to increase the pH levels of acidic soil and return the earth to nearly neutral.

The primary difference between the two materials is that, in addition to containing calcium carbonate, dolomitic lime also contains a mixture of magnesium carbonate. Typically, the mineral is comprised of approximately 50% calcium carbonate and 40% magnesium carbonate with the remainder being other materials.

Because both calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate are basic, the idea is that both can work together to improve soil conditions while also introducing valuable nutrients into the earth that are essential to plants.

Pros

Although both agricultural lime and dolomitic lime are able to successfully raise the pH levels of acidic soil, dolomitic lime is generally chosen for pastures that have a history of grass tetany to raise forage magnesium levels or in fields, gardens and lawns where the soil is particularly magnesium deficient.

Soil is considered to be magnesium deficient when there is at least a 6:1 calcium to magnesium ratio, meaning that there is approximately 30%-40% more calcium content. When this is the case, dolomitic lime can quickly restore the mineral balance in the earth. Yet another great thing about dolomitic lime is that it is quite inexpensive and easy to come by.

Considerations

It’s important to keep in mind that, as stated above, dolomitic lime is really intended only for soil that has a magnesium deficiency. As a general rule of thumb, soil should always have a calcium to magnesium ratio of between 7:1 (for sandier soils) and 10:1 (for more clay-based soils).

Beyond this, the introduction of dolomitic soil (which contains a 2:1 magnesium to calcium ratio) can actually cause more problems to the earth than what it’s worth. Excessively high magnesium levels have been known to create issues with soil compaction, the introduction of a high volume of weeds, and increased difficulty in water properly being absorbed into the ground and into the plants.

To avoid disaster, you should always carefully measure your soil’s magnesium levels before selecting dolomitic lime.

Choosing the Right Liming Agent

If both agricultural lime and dolomitic lime are capable of raising the soil’s pH level from acidic to nearly neutral, which option is best for your needs? Fortunately, coming to the right answer is not as difficult as you might imagine. First, you’ll need to know what type of soil you’re working with.

Soil typically has a sandy, loamy or clay texture. If you’re not certain about which category your soil falls under, you should consider consulting with an expert. With this information in mind, you are now equipped to determine what the ideal calcium to magnesium ratio is for your land.

Next, you’ll need to conduct a test to determine both the pH level of your soil, as well as the mineral content. If the magnesium level falls below the ideal ratio, or is less than 75 ppm, you will want to consider choosing dolomitic lime over agricultural lime. It should be noted that this is usually quite a rare occurrence.

In most cases, traditional aglime will suffice to meet your needs. If you’re in need of very fast results and have a small coverage area or don’t mind more frequent liming applications, think about working with liquid lime.

For long term results that will require fewer applications, dry aglime will do the trick. Regardless of what liming materials you choose to use, though, it’s important that you always follow manufacture specifications regarding how much should be spread and how it should be tilled into the soil.

Applying too much or too little lime could create further problems, and failure to work the material into the earth could significantly reduce lime efficiency.

The Best Place to Purchase Liming Materials

Once you’ve decided which type of lime is right for your needs, you’ll want to make sure that you’re buying your materials from a reliable supplier. Braen is one the largest suppliers of aglime throughout NJ and NY. We sell only the highest quality liming agents at competitive wholesale pricing.

Our team of experts is happy to answer any questions that you may have throughout the selection process so that you can rest assured that you’ve made the best purchasing decision. Our liming products are available for pickup or bulk delivery to your location.

Although our primary delivery area includes Bergen County, Morris County, Passaic County, Essex County and Sussex County, we can also work with those who need deliveries throughout all of NJ, NY, NYC and PA.

Top 10 Aglime Questions Answered

Healthy crops and vegetation begin with healthy soil. This is a fundamental truth that anyone with a green thumb can tell you.

No matter how hard you work to protect your soil, though, you can count on the fact that, over time, its nutrient supply will begin to deplete and its pH levels will begin to change. Both of these occurrences can create less-than ideal growing conditions.

This doesn’t mean you have to dig up all of your old soil and replace it with new stuff, though. The simplest and most affordable way to correct common problems associated with frequently used soil is to introduce agricultural lime (or aglime, for short).

But while aglime is highly effective and frequently used throughout NJ, we’ve found that many people don’t really know that much about it. To clear the air, we’ve dedicated this post to providing answers to 10 of the most frequently asked questions about aglime.

Aglime At-A-Glance

First of all, what is aglime anyway? Agricultural lime is made up of limestone that has been pulverized and crushed down to an extremely small particle size.

Once reduced to this size, the particles are able to be tilled into any soil that’s in poor health in order to raise the soil’s pH levels for ideal growing conditions, to supply the soil with important minerals like calcium and magnesium, to encourage soil microbe activity and to improve a plant’s root system’s ability to absorb nutrients.

1. How do I know if I need to use aglime?

One of the first signs that you might benefit from the use of agricultural lime is a crop that appears less healthy or vibrant than in other growing seasons. The only way to know, without a doubt, however, is to have your soil’s pH levels tested.

You’ll then need to compare the pH of your existing soil against the required pH levels for growing the specific type or types of crops that you’re planning to grow there. This will tell you whether or not you need to add a liming agent in order to restore balance to the soil’s pH.

2. How does aglime work?

When lime is pulverized into extremely fine pieces, its alkaline properties have the ability to actually raise the pH of soil that has grown overly acidic throughout the years. This is important because specific pH levels must exist in order for specific plants to grow and thrive.

The pH level of your soil can impact the way in which it absorbs moisture, the amount of microbe activity it enjoys, the minerals and nutrients available and can even affect the uptake of nutrients through a plant’s root system.

3. What should I know about correct aglime application?

For starters, it’s important to know that the smaller your aglime particles are, the more effective it will be. Next, know that agricultural lime tends to be most effective when it is tilled into the soil.

Finally, be aware that agricultural lime won’t activate unless it’s exposed to water, so when spreading dry lime, you’ll need to also spray water evenly and deliberately across the soil that’s being treated.

4. What’s the difference between dolomitic and calcitic lime?

The primary difference between these two liming materials is the type of limestone from which they are derived. As the name suggests, calcitic lime tends to have higher levels of calcium.

Dolomitic lime, on the other hand, features high volumes of magnesium. Both are very effective in restoring balance to acidic soil.

Unless your soil is unusually deprived of the mineral magnesium, though, it isn’t usually necessary to specifically seek out dolomitic lime. Calcitic lime will do the trick, is very easy to find in your locale and is extremely affordable.

5. What about liquid lime?

Liquid lime is a carefully formulated blend of both dry lime and water that can be sprayed directly across the surface of your soil. It’s much easier to control the even distribution of liming materials, but be aware of the fact that liquid lime tends to be more expensive and generally will need to be applied more often.

6. What can I expect in terms of results?

Those who have soil with pH levels that are extremely low (acidic) and in very poor health may begin to notice positive results within several weeks. For the most part, though, you should expect that you won’t realize the full effect of what agricultural lime can do for at least a year, or one growing season.

7. Can aglime be used for residential properties?

Yes. While agricultural lime is most frequently used for larger commercial growing operations, many homeowners have found that its use on residential lawns can help to create more hospitable growing conditions for grass, freshly laid sod or vegetable gardens.

Be sure to talk with a trusted professional about the best type of lime for your lawn and how much of it should be used to restore pH levels to balance.

8. How frequently will I need to apply aglime?

Different people experience different rates at which their soil becomes overly acidic and needs to be treated with agricultural lime.

Areas that are prone to high volumes of acidic rain or fields that are frequently treated with certain types of acidic fertilizers and pesticides, for example, may demand more frequent treatments of aglime.

Keep an eye on the virility of your crops and be vigilant about having your soil’s pH levels tested in order to know, for sure, when you should re-apply aglime.

9.  How much should I expect aglime to cost?

The cost of agricultural lime can vary based upon several factors. First, you’ll need to consider the type of aglime that you’re planning on using.

Liquid lime, for example, tends to be slightly more expensive than dry lime. Secondly, you’ll need to think about the source.

Was the liming agent produced locally, or is it coming from a remote location? If the materials must be shipped and transported across the country, you should plan on spending more money.

It’s for this reason that we encourage our customers to buy their agricultural lime locally. Of course, it’s always important to evaluate the quality of the liming materials prior to purchase. Just because lime is very cheap doesn’t mean that you’re getting a good deal.

Remember that the smaller the aglime is, the faster acting it will be. Knowing what to look for from your lime will help you get the best price for your materials.

10. Where can I go to get the best aglime in NJ?

Residents of NJ and its surrounding areas know that they can count on Braen Stone to handle all of their liming needs. We own and operate quarries throughout the state.

Here, we take pride in harvesting the highest quality lime and then carefully pulverizing and screening the lime down to the ideal particle sizes for improving soil health. Because we manufacture our agricultural lime on our own, we’re able to maintain control over both quality and pricing.

Our customers get the lowest, wholesale prices on our materials. Our aglime can be picked up or bulk delivered to locations throughout parts of NJ, NY, NYC and PA.

Agricultural Limestone vs Dolomite

Got soil woes? If so, you’re not alone. Whether you’re working on reviving an unhealthy lawn or your fields need some TLC after multiple growing seasons, you need to find a solution if you want to have any hopes for thriving plants.

For many people, this means either working with agricultural lime (sometimes referred to as aglime) or dolomitic lime.

These all-natural stone products have proven themselves to be to be invaluable to the agricultural industry, as well as in residential applications throughout the centuries.

Nevertheless, even though both materials have been around for a long time, there is still a lot of confusion about which should be used for what purposes and when.

Because we receive so many inquiries from customers like yourself, we’ve taken the time to assemble this definitive guide to choosing between agricultural limestone vs dolomite.

When to Use Aglime or Dolomite

Before you can even begin to think about whether agricultural lime or dolomite could benefit your soil, you first need to have an understanding of when these materials are actually necessary.

Aglime and dolomite both become useful when soil becomes too acidic. This typically occurs after exposure to acid rain, after frequent use of fertilizers and other chemicals or even after the soil has simply become deprived of important nutrients from years of planting and harvesting crops.

Additionally, because lime and dolomite are alkaline, they help to raise the soil’s pH back to a level that is conducive to growing plants. Regardless of whether or not you suspect that your soil may be too acidic, it’s always a good idea to have a sample of the dirt tested on an annual basis.

For larger, commercial fields, it’s generally advisable to send a sample off to a professional testing company for a readout. Homeowners however can usually get away with purchasing a home testing kit. Once you’ve concluded that your soil’s pH needs to be elevated, you should start considering the right solution for your needs.

Agricultural Limestone vs Dolomite: What Is It?

Mostly everyone in the agricultural industry has heard of aglime. The production and usage of agricultural lime is very simplistic in nature. Limestone is harvested from a quarry and then pulverized down to a very fine particle size.

The material is then spread atop or tilled into soil that has a pH level that is too low (acidic) for healthy plant and crop growth. The reasoning behind this is that limestone contains a high volume of calcium.

Because calcium is alkaline, it helps to raise the soil’s pH level and restore it to a balance. Agricultural lime is available in crushed form, pelletized form and in liquid form. It’s always a good idea to talk to a trusted industry professional about which type is right for your needs.

Dolomitic Lime (often referred to as dolomite) is slightly different from agricultural lime. This particular material is manufactured by way of crushing dolomitic limestone into fine particulate matter.

Because it is a type of limestone, you can count on the fact that it will also contain a very high calcium content. The alkaline nature of the material makes it possible for acidic soil to be returned to a more balanced state as the dolomite raises the pH level.

The difference between dolomite and regular aglime, though, is that dolomite also contains magnesium carbonate. You can generally expect dolomite to be 50% calcium carbonate, 40% magnesium carbonate and a 10% blend of other minerals.

his makeup is what allows dolomite to work on the soil’s pH while also introducing magnesium into the earth in order to offer nutritional value to plants.

Agricultural Lime Pros and Cons

You’ll find that aglime offers a number of benefits to users, but there are also things you should consider prior to use:

  • Pros – One of the main reasons that people use aglime is that it has been so reliable throughout the centuries. It can be counted on as a natural, affordable, safe and effective means to solving the all-too common problem of acidic soil. Agricultural lime is very easy to apply, and although it may take a full growing season for the material to take full effect, results and improvements can be noticed almost immediately. The speed with which the material works will depend on the type of aglime applied, but in all cases, it is very effective. In addition to raising the soil’s pH, aglime also stimulates the growth and activity of micro-organisms that are beneficial to plants and help roots absorb important nutrients. Best of all, you won’t break your budget. Because limestone is so prevalent – and especially here in the northeast – it is easy to come by at very low costs.
  • Cons – One thing to keep in mind when working with agricultural lime is that, depending on the type that you use, it could be a bit on the dusty side. Traditional aglime should always be applied when the forecast calls for calm and still conditions. Pelletized lime that is held together with a polymer-like material and liquid lime are both much less dusty, but tend to be more expensive. This may make these less practical for large spans of land. Talk to a trusted professional to determine which is right for your needs so that you apply your lime properly and spend only what is necessary.

Dolomite Pros and Cons

Like aglime, Dolomite usage can be very advantageous but comes with its own set of considerations:

  • Pros – Like aglime, dolomite is able to very effectively raise soil pH. At the same time, it’s able to correct soil with a magnesium deficiency. For optimum health, sandy soil should have a calcium to magnesium ratio of 7:1 for sandy soil and 10:1 for clay-based soil.
  • Cons – Dolomitic lime shouldn’t be applied where it isn’t needed. Introducing more magnesium to soil that isn’t deprived can actually cause a lot more damage than good, so use it wisely.
    Agricultural Limestone vs Dolomite: Which is Right for Me?

When it comes to making the decision between agricultural limestone vs dolomite, there is no real black and white answer. Instead, the choice should be made based upon a thorough understanding of each material and knowing what is better suited to your needs.

A simple test of both the pH level and mineral content of your soil will tell you whether aglime will be sufficient or if you should consider dolomite.

Where to Buy Agricultural Lime and Dolomite in NJ

Braen Stone is the leading supplier of aglime throughout NJ and its surrounding areas. We have owned and operated our own local quarries for more than 110 years and take pride in producing the highest quality liming materials possible.

Our expert staff has the knowledge and experience required to provide you with input when choosing agricultural limestone so that you walk away feeling confident that you’ve selected the right material for your specific needs.

You’ll find that we offer agricultural limestone at competitive wholesale prices. Our agricultural limestone can be picked up or bulk delivered to locations throughout parts of NJ, NY, PA and CT.

Agricultural Lime vs Pelletized Lime

Whether you’re a farmer by trade or a homeowner on a mission to win “Best Lawn of the Year”, the overall health of your property’s soil is a top priority. Unless the earth is in good shape in, the grass will always be greener on the other side and the other fields’ harvests will always be more fruitful and abundant. But what is it that makes for healthy soil conditions exactly, how can you be sure if yours is up to par and what can you do to remedy any issues? If you’re not sure, you’re not alone.

The experts at Braen Stone encounter customers on a daily basis who, like yourself, may need some sound information and advice on proper soil conditions. Because this is such a common concern, we’ve decided to dedicate this entire posting to exploring the underlying causes of unhealthy soil, the materials that can be used to improve growing conditions and an objective look at whether you should be using aglime or pelletized lime to meet your needs.

What causes poor soil health?

In order to understand what causes poor soil health, you first need to have a working knowledge of what plants require in order to grow and thrive. Obviously, sunlight, water and dirt are all necessary, but what is it about soil that makes it so important? First, the earth needs to be rich with the nutrients that plants demand for vitality.

Secondly, the soil’s pH levels need to be ideal for the specific plants or crops being grown. Soil pH influences soil bacteria, nutrient availability and leaching, any toxic elements within the ground and the overall structure of the soil. Although different plants depend on varying pH levels, it is generally accepted that nutrient availability peaks in soils with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5.

Problems with soil health arise when nutrients are not readily available or when the soil’s pH levels are too low (meaning that it is too acidic). Consider the fact that nutrients are leached more rapidly out of soil with a pH of less than 5.0. This means that those nutrients are being lost instead of absorbed by the plant’s roots. How does soil become acidic, though? Exposure to acidic rain can be a factor, as well as the use of some fertilizers. Typically, though, soil will grow acidic after years of planting and growing cycles.

How can I tell if my soil is acidic?

Determining whether your soil is suffering from poor health as the result of high acidity is fast and simple. You’ll find that there are a number of different soil pH testing kits available on the market, all of which are user friendly and will give you an exact readout on your soil’s pH levels. It’s smart to consult an expert after testing so that you can discuss the pH needs for the specific types of plants that you plan on growing so that you can ensure that you don’t take measures to adjust the pH balance in ways that will negatively impact plant health.

What are the methods used for restoring soil pH levels?

The two most common materials that people choose for restoring balance to soil pH are:

  • Agricultural Lime (Aglime) – Agricultural lime (or aglime) is simply limestone that has been pulverized so that it can be added to acidic soil. The primary active component of aglime is calcium carbonate, and since calcium is alkaline, the material will combine with the soil and raise its overall pH levels. At the same time, aglime can provide a great source of calcium and magnesium for plants, improve water penetration and increase the uptake of major nutrients. The more finely ground the agricultural lime is, the faster it will react with the soil and improve growing conditions.
  • Pelletized Lime – Pelletized lime can frequently be confused with agricultural lime because it’s developed from the process of granulating finely ground aglime. This makes the lime even finer. It is then bonded with lignosulfonates which act as a means of controlling dust. Pelletized lime offers the same function as regular aglime in that it works to raise soil pH levels and improve the ability of plants to absorb water and nutrients.

Agricultural Lime vs Pelletized Lime: Pros

There are benefits associated with both aglime and pelletized lime:

  • Aglime – Limestone is so readily available throughout the United States, and especially here in the northeast. This means that it’s easy to come by the materials without worry of a shortage. As a result, you’ll always find a ready supply of aglime at your disposal and it will be an extremely affordable fix to any soil acidity problems that you’re encountering. The ease of use is also quite advantageous. In dry and still conditions, aglime can be introduced to the soil with a spreader in a very short period of time.
  • Pelletized Lime – One of the greatest things about pelletized lime is that it is so finely ground and granulized. As mentioned previously, the finer the limestone actually is, the more immediate the results. This means that your soil’s pH levels and nutrient levels will be restored as quickly and efficiently as possible. Lignosulfonate is another key bonus. This is a naturally occurring, wood-like polymer that acts as a binding agent between the pellets. Because of its presence, the lime will spread a lot less dust than regular agricultural lime and can be applied even if conditions are somewhat breezy or windy.

Agricultural Lime vs Pelletized Lime: Cons

When choosing between agricultural lime vs pelletized lime there are several considerations you should make for each:

  • Aglime – The biggest challenge that people might encounter when working with aglime has to do with how much dust the material can spread. The finely ground, loose particles can get caught up with the wind and blown all over the place which makes it so that the lime isn’t evenly distributed into the soil. In order to prevent issues like these from occurring, it’s strongly recommended that you apply aglime on a still day when there’s no forecast for strong winds.
  • Pelletized Lime – The key disadvantage to using pelletized lime is cost. Due to the fact that it is more expensive than aglime, it’s more practical for homeowners than farmers with large fields.

Where can I buy liming materials in NJ?

Braen Stone is the most trusted name in liming materials throughout NJ and its surrounding areas. We’ve been in the business of manufacturing the highest quality landscaping and construction materials for more than 110 years and take pride in a job well done. Our lime is harvested, pulverized and manufactured on-site via our locally owned and operated quarries.

This enables us to maintain total control over the materials processing so that you can rest assured that you’ll be enjoying a consistently superior product that will restore your soil to health. Our team of experts is able to work with you to break down the difference between agricultural lime vs pelletized lime so that you can make the best decision for your specific needs. Our liming materials are available at wholesale prices for pickup or bulk delivery throughout NJ, NY, PA and CT.

Why is Aglime Used as Fertilizer?

Creating and maintaining the proper growing conditions for plant life can be a bit challenging. In order for vegetation to grow and thrive, specific pH balances must be achieved and the correct amount of nutrients, moisture and sunlight must be able to come into contact with the soil.

But while ensuring that your lawn, garden and/or crops are properly exposed to light and water may fall under your direct control, achieving the right soil conditions can be more difficult. Instead of introducing dozens of chemicals into the earth, many farmers and homeowners choose to utilize agricultural lime (or ag lime).

Although it works in a different way than other fertilizers, ag lime can impart numerous positive benefits upon your soil both on its own and when used in conjunction with other products. Not sure if ag lime is the right fertilizing solution for your needs? Read on to learn more about this versatile and highly useful material.

What Is Ag Lime

Agricultural lime is simply limestone that has been carefully crushed down to the proper size for use with soil. Although it’s frequently used for lager-scale agricultural applications, the material is also extremely useful for residential and commercial lawns, as well as for smaller home gardens. For use as a fertilizing material, ag lime should be washed and screened through a sand plant.

Positive Impacts of Ag Lime on Soil

You may wonder why anyone bothers with agricultural lime when there are so many other fertilizing products on the market. Interestingly enough, the material actually offers more benefits to the earth than many chemically engineered compounds on the market. Some of the key advantages to using ag lime include:

  • pH Balance – After years of exposure to fertilizers, chemicals, heavy acidic rain fall and constant crop turnover, many fields, gardens and landscaping features end up with higher-than-desirable pH levels. When introduced to the soil, agricultural lime can actually lower the overall acidity of the earth. This creates healthier growing conditions for plant life.
  • Lowered Toxicity – In addition to restoring the pH balance of soil to almost neutral, agricultural lime is also able to reduce the toxicity of manganese and the amount of aluminum that may be present in the earth. This works to effectively promote good soil microbe activity and improve soil structure overall.
  • Plant Nutrients – Another common problem with soil is that, with the passage of time, valuable nutrients are depleted and it becomes increasingly difficult for plants to obtain the “food” that they need to grow properly. Ag lime does two things to remedy this issue. First, it adds nutrients into the soil, such as calcium and phosphorous. Secondly, the material makes it simpler for plants to absorb important nutrients that may already be present.
  • Long-Term Results -It’s important to be aware that, unlike chemically formulated fertilizer products, agricultural lime may not promote improved plant growth quite as quickly. While its slower reaction time may seem like a drawback, it actually isn’t. This is because the long-term effects are much more significant. After being limed, soil will remain in-balance for years, meaning that fewer applications are required.

Proper Application of Ag Lime

In order for growers and property owners to get the most benefit from agricultural lime, certain application guidelines should be considered:

  • Particle Size – The size and fineness of ground limestone makes a big difference on its ability to improve soil conditions. The smaller the particles are, the easier it is for the carbonates to react with the acids, and the faster soil will be restored to optimum health.
  • Chemistry – When purchasing agricultural limestone, you should look at the calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) and the total neutralizing value (TNV) as this will compare the chemistry of the lime at a particular quarry against the neutralizing capabilities of pure calcium carbonate.
  • Plant Type – Keep in mind that certain vegetables and other plants may have different soil balance requirements. If you’re unsure, you should speak with a professional to ensure that you don’t over or under-lime.
  • Required Volume – Utilizing too much ag lime could actually be just as detrimental to plant life as not using enough. Always be careful to apply only that which is needed.
  • Spreading Consistency – It’s extremely important that agricultural lime is spread evenly and consistently across the desired coverage area. It should be broadcast on the soil’s surface. To avoid the possibility of the material being blown around, use as a fertilizer when wind speeds are less than 10mph.

Using Ag Lime With Other Fertilizing Products

It’s true that agricultural lime is often used to correct the effects of long-term fertilizer usage and frequently used soil. At the same time, though, the material can actually be used in conjunction with these other products to actually improve growing conditions. Because the material improves plant nutrient uptake, ag lime can boost the efficiency and effectiveness of other fertilizers by as much as 50%. As long as the proper application techniques are followed, the combination of agricultural limestone and additional products can yield healthy and bountiful vegetation.

Do you still have questions about using ag lime as a fertilizer? The experts here at Braen Stone are more than qualified to provide you with useful answers and advice. Our agricultural lime is available at competitive wholesale rates. Pick up your materials at your convenience or have them bulk delivered to locations in NJ, NY, PA and CT.

Aglime: When and How Should I Apply It?

Agriculturists from as far back as the Roman Empire recognized that finely ground lime actually had the effect of improving their crops. What they may not have realized, though, is why this is the case.

Today we know that after years of tilling, crop growth, and exposure to rain, soil can become acidic in nature, and depleted of its nutrients. Aglime helps to counteract these problems.

As it dissolves, the material helps to raise the pH of soil back to normal levels, and it introduces important plant nutrients back into the earth.

While many people are aware of the positive effects of aglime, we often receive questions about this particular material. Growers are confused about when the best time to introduce agricultural lime into their fields actually is. After all, how long will it take for the material to start working?

Individuals are also eager to learn the best methods for applying agricultural lime. Fortunately, after decades of experience in the industry, we’ve got the answers that you’re looking for. We’ll cover the basics of applying aglime so that you and your crops can see the largest benefit.

When to Apply Aglime

In order for you to get the full benefit of agricultural lime, you first need to know when it’s best to apply it to your soil. Lime tends to dissolve quite slowly and requires water to do so. As a result, it will typically take as long as a year for a significant response to be measured (although a response can be observed and detected within weeks in cases where the soil is extremely acidic).

Keeping that in mind, it’s in your best interest to apply aglime immediately following the growing season and crop removal. This will allow ample time for the lime to react and create balance in the soil’s pH levels before the next growing season arrives.

After the initial application, you should be aware of how much time should pass before you introduce agricultural lime into your soil once again. Soil that has a low CEC level won’t need a lot of lime in order to raise the soil’s pH but may need more frequent applications.

Conversely, soil with a higher CEC level will need to have a large amount of aglime introduced to it initially, but may benefit from the application for as many as 2 years. Keep in mind, too that the amount of tillage will impact liming frequency. Fields with frequent till passes will cause the lime to be continuously spread and benefit the soil, whereas low or no-till fields may need to apply small amounts lime more frequently in order to maintain pH levels.

How to Apply Aglime

First, you need to consider the fact that there are different types of liming materials. As a rule, the agricultural lime that has a higher calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) will neutralize soil acidity more quickly. Additionally, the coarseness of the material makes a difference. The finer the liming material, the faster the reactivity.

Whenever possible, aglime should be tilled into the soil. This allows for a larger portion of its surface area to be exposed into the soil, resulting in faster reactivity. In circumstances when areas like a perennial pasture must be treated, you may require a surface treatment. Stick with the method of applying less agricultural lime more frequently.

Remember, different crops require different amounts of aglime. For wheat and bermudagrass, the soil pH must be raised above 5.5, so a half ton (25% of the soil test deficiency amount needed to bring the soil up to a pH of 6.8) is ideal. In the case of legumes, soil pH must be brought up to 6.8.

For surface liming, up to 2.5 tons can be applied per acre per year, with up to 4 tons for tilled soil. If you’re unsure of how much agricultural lime to utilize, talk to a local professional.

Buying Aglime

Every farmer, gardener, or grower should have the ability to take advantage of all that aglime has to offer. At Braen Stone, we take pride in our ability to work with our customers and to answer any questions that they may have about the material.

We produce aglime from our own limestone quarry in NJ, so we’re familiar with the composition and makeup of the materials that we sell, and are more than happy to keep you informed. We have a large supply of agricultural lime that’s available at wholesale prices for pickup or delivery throughout most NJ, NY and Eastern PA.