I would like to put some kind of fruit bearing tree in our front flower bed just to give it color. My options for the part of Texas I live in are Orange, Lemon, Plum, Pear or Lime. I want something that is smaller and most importantly that doesn't have a big root system (hence if its in the flower bed it will be close to the house / foundation? Can someone help me with which of the above trees would be okay in a flower bed? Thanks
Lime can balance an acidic soil. Before adding lime to any soil, you need to get a soil test. You can contact your county extension office and get a soil test kit. The kit costs less than $20 and has the directions and postage paid mailer inside. The soil test will determine if your soil is acidic or alkaline. Depending on the results, you would apply the correct amendments. If the soil is acidic, you would add lime. If the soil is alkaline, you would add sulfur.
Lime is primarily a soil amendment or conditioner and not a fertilizer as is commonly thought. Lime performs several important functions: 1. Corrects soil acidity (added: Grass does not like acid, Limestone and green grass go hand in hand I am told that is why Ireland is so green) 2. Furnishes important plant nutrients—calcium and magnesium 3. Reduces the solubility and toxicity of certain elements in the soil such as aluminum, manganese, and iron. This toxicity could reduce plant growth under acid conditions 4. It promotes availability of major plant nutrients. Calcium acts as a regulator and aids in bringing about the desirable range of availability of many plant nutrients. Some elements which lime aids in regulating are zinc, copper, and especially phosphorus. 5. It increases bacterial activity and hence induces favorable soil structure and relationships. Soil structure is also improved by the addition of decayed organic matter or compost. The soil becomes more porous, increasing air circulation and the ability of the soil to absorb and hold moisture.
