TruCal Paddock Lime 25kg

TruCal Paddock Lime is a fine granular limestone soil conditioner for horse paddocks, grazing pasture and established grassland. Containing 99% calcium carbonate, it helps raise low soil pH so grass can make better use of nutrients already present in the soil and from subsequently applied paddock fertilisers.

Use TruCal where a soil analysis confirms that lime is required; or as a maintenance application to prevent pH reducing over time. It is not an NPK fertiliser and will not directly provide nitrogen, phosphate or potassium.

The fine 0.6–1.2mm granules can be applied evenly using a suitable calibrated fertiliser spreader. At typical established-grass maintenance application rates, one 25kg bag covers approximately 250-2,500m² (approx. a third to half an acre).

TruCal Paddock Lime uses the established TruCal granular limestone formulation, presented specifically for paddock and pasture use.

Is TruCal right for my paddock?

Choose TruCal if:

• a soil test shows that your paddock soil is too acidic
• grass is responding poorly because soil pH is low
• you want to improve nutrient availability before applying paddock fertiliser
• you want to counter the acidifying effect of fertiliser applications
• you are preparing acidic soil for paddock renovation or reseeding
• you need a granular calcium lime suitable for application through a spreader

Why Choose TruCal Paddock Lime

• Helps correct acidic paddock soil - Raises low soil pH towards a level more suitable for healthy grass growth. 
• Improves nutrient availability - Helps grass make better use of nutrients already in the soil and from an appropriate paddock fertiliser programme.
• Contains 99% calcium carbonate - A high-purity limestone product with a neutralising value of 55.6%
• Fine granular formulation - Consistent 0.6–1.2mm granules support even spreading through a suitable applicator
• Suitable for established paddocks - Can be surface-applied to maintain soil pH or where soil testing identifies a lime requirement.
• Useful before reseeding - Correcting low soil pH before renovation can help create better conditions for new grass establishment.

Product Summary Table

Application Recommendations

Where to use

TruCal Paddock Lime is suitable for:

• established horse paddocks
• pony turnout fields
• grazing pasture
• small holdings
• grassland with a confirmed lime requirement
• paddocks being prepared for renovation or reseeding

Lime will not directly repair bare or poached areas. Where grass is missing, the paddock may also require levelling, aeration, overseeding, a suitable resting period and/or a paddock fertiliser.

When to use

TruCal can be applied throughout the year when the ground and weather conditions are suitable.

Late summer and autumn are often convenient because the grass may be shorter, the ground firmer and rainfall more likely to wash the lime from the grass leaf and towards the soil.

Apply when:

• soil analysis confirms that lime is required
• fertiliser use may increase soil pH over time
• the ground is firm enough to carry spreading equipment
• the grass has been grazed or cut relatively short
• suitable rainfall is expected after application

Avoid applying:

• to frozen or waterlogged ground
• when the soil is so wet that spreading could cause compaction
• during strong winds
• to tall or dense grass
• immediately before horses are due to graze

How to use

A typical maintenance application rate for established grass is: 10-20g/m² per year. This will maintain soil pH, reducing acidification that can occur as a result of natural processes and fertiliser applications.

To correct soils with low pH, the correct rate should be based on a recent laboratory soil analysis. Rates of up to 50g/m2 per year can be used to help increase soil pH slowly over time. Larger applications of up to 500g/m2 can be used where recommended to increase soil pH more rapidly.

Bag-per-acre figures are rounded estimates.

The total amount required to correct the soil pH may be higher than the typical rate shown above. This will depend on the current pH, target pH and soil type.

Where a larger lime requirement is identified, staged applications may be recommended. Do not select the rate from coverage alone. Follow the recommendation supplied with your soil-analysis results or technical advice given.

How to apply

1. Complete a representative laboratory soil analysis, or consult a technical advisor
2. Measure the paddock or treatment area
3. Calculate the amount required using the recommended application rate
4. Apply evenly to relatively short, dry grass using a calibrated fertiliser spreader
5. Where practical, divide the product into two equal quantities and apply in crossing directions
6. Avoid missed strips and concentrated deposits.
7. Prevent material from accumulating around gateways, troughs and turning points
8. Apply before suitable rainfall so the lime is washed from the grass and towards the soil
9. Keep the product away from drains, ponds and watercourses

Spreader output can vary according to the machine, walking speed, product condition and operator. Always calibrate the spreader before treating the full paddock.

Returning horses to paddock

Remove horses and other grazing animals during application. Do not allow grazing while visible lime remains on the grass. Wait until sufficient rainfall or irrigation has washed the product from the foliage and towards the soil.

Inspect the entire treated area before returning horses, paying particular attention to:

• gateways
• water troughs and feeding areas
• sheltered field edges
• hedges and trees
• places where the spreader was turned or stopped

Use the visible condition of the paddock rather than relying on a fixed waiting period.

Using TruCal before reseeding

Low soil pH can restrict nutrient availability and make it more difficult for newly sown grass to establish successfully.

Where possible, apply TruCal before beginning a paddock-renovation programme so it has time to start correcting soil acidity. If the ground is being cultivated, incorporate the recommended amount into the prepared soil before sowing.

Lime can improve the soil conditions for establishment, but it will not replace the need for suitable seedbed preparation, grass seed, moisture and an appropriate establishment fertiliser where required.

Why soil pH matters

As paddock soil becomes more acidic, grass may become less able to access nutrients already present in the soil. This can lead to a weaker response from fertiliser, reduced grass growth and more difficult establishment of new seed.

Applying lime where required helps correct the soil conditions in which grass grows. It does not directly feed the grass.

There is no single correct target pH for every paddock. The appropriate target will depend on the soil type and intended land use. Follow the recommendation supplied with your laboratory soil analysis.

Applying more lime than the soil requires can waste product and create further nutrient imbalances.

Paddock lime and fertiliser

TruCal is a soil conditioner, not an NPK paddock fertiliser. Its purpose is to help correct soil acidity and improve nutrient availability. It does not replace nitrogen, phosphate or potassium where these nutrients are required.

A practical paddock-care programme is:

1. test the soil
2. correct the soil pH where required
3. select a fertiliser based on the full soil-analysis results
4. manage weeds, compaction and drainage separately
5. overseed thin or bare areas where required
6. rest the paddock while new grass establishes

Do not mix TruCal and fertiliser together in the spreader. Seek technical advice when planning applications of lime alongside urea, slurry or organic manures.

TruCal is a calcium limestone product rather than a magnesium or dolomitic lime. Where soil analysis shows low magnesium, seek advice on whether a magnesium-containing liming product would be more appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions