Braen Expands!

Since 1904, contractors across Northern New Jersey have come to count on Braen Stone for the materials they need to build everything from highways to driveways and bridges to tunnels.  

This includes providing a diverse line of aggregates, recycled materials, and hot mix asphalt to all parts of the construction industry. Since 2019 Braen has hired 94 active employees. They have helped us…  

Braen Stone Acquires New Quarry in Whitehall, NY 

We are excited to announce that we have expanded our operations by acquiring a new stone quarry in January of 2022. Purchased from Azzil Granite Materials, Braen Stone of Whitehall is situated on roughly 150 acres in Upstate New York, just 35 minutes from Lake George on the Vermont border in Washington County. 

Already recognized as one of the largest producers of construction materials in northern New Jersey, our ability to mine granite at Braen Stone of Whitehall marks a strategic step in our company’s growth. This additional site – the fifth in our family of Braen-owned-and-operated stone quarries – will allow us to better supply the New York market as well as to serve new and current customers throughout the entire Tri-State region. 

We anticipate ramping up operations this spring, and have already committed to supplying jetty rock to South Jersey shore points. Even as we grow, our team remains focused on safely producing quality materials and fostering the commitment to customers and their jobs that has helped build our reputation as one of the most trusted partners in the industry. Fun Fact: Whitehall, NY, is a picturesque town that is known for its annual Sasquatch Festival & Calling Contest, which features “Bigfoot” researchers, food, and family activities. 

Braen Stone of Sparta Now Open 24/7 

Business has been booming at our Sparta location, which is now open 24 hours a day to meet customer demand. This quarry is a source of jetty rock and limestone for our customers, and we also operate an Asphalt Plant on the site. 

Braen Supply Expands to Randolph, NJ 

Braen Supply is now officially open on the former site of Curly Stone on Route 10 in Randolph! We hosted a Grand Opening & Expo on April 1st, where we welcomed members of the town council and invited vendors to showcase their products. Our third location in New Jersey (in addition to Haledon and Wanaque), Braen Supply Randolph features an outdoor display area and is open to contractors and homeowners. We look forward to helping you with all of your landscape and masonry projects! 

Braen Stone Wins 2 Awards At NJAPA 2021 Pavement Awards

On October 6, 2021, the New Jersey Asphalt Pavement Association (NJAPA) held its annual awards program honoring professionals in the pavement industry. The Annual Paving Awards were held at The Wave Resort in Long Branch, NJ and recognized the outstanding work of NJAPA members within the past year. 

Braen Stone was the recipient of two prestigious awards this night.  

The first was awarded for playing a critical role in resurfacing of a state highway or toll road with a thin overlay and a minimum of 5,000 tons of asphalt pavement. Braen Stone received the award for supplying the asphalt for Route 287 Northbound, Route 202/206 to South Street job, Della Pello Paving, Inc. was the contractor on the job.  

The second award involved the new construction or rehabilitation of a state highway or toll road with a minimum of 10,000 tons of asphalt pavement. Braen Stone received the award for supplying the asphalt for Interchange 14 – T200.497 – Concrete Roadway Repairs & Resurfacing project, Crisdel Group, Inc. was the contractor on the job.  

Each of these achievements acknowledges Braen Stone’s commitment to the New Jersey community and pavement industry. 

About the NJAPA 

The New Jersey Asphalt Pavement Association is a statewide organization that was founded in 1933. As the oldest construction-oriented organization, NJAPA is committed to enhancing the general business environment and adding value to the development and maintenance of transportation infrastructure. 

NJAPA works closely with regulators, legislators, specifiers, and other trade associations to increase effectiveness and facilitate the use of innovative technology in design and construction. NJAPA’s mission is to promote the broadest application of Hot Mix Asphalt (HPA) and ensure that asphalt pavement remains the pavement of choice. 

We would like to extend our congratulations to everyone who won an award at the 2021 NJAPA awards. 

Photo Credit: Andrew Mills

Braen Stone Leadership Team Introduces Values Award Program and Names the First Recipients

During the 2021 Virtual Team Gathering the Braen Leadership Team introduced the Values Award Program.  At our 116th event, which was held in 2020, the Leadership Team had noted that they were going to be rolling out the new program, however, due to COVID-19 and the circumstance of this past year, it was not rolled out as originally planned, but the goal was to remain as true to the original plan as possible.  

Supervising managers were asked to nominate employees that they felt live by Braen’s core values, and there were over 30 nominations for this year’s Values Award!  The nomination process consisted of interviews and an extensive discussion amongst the Braen Leadership Team to determine who was deserving of the award.  The Braen Leadership Team narrowed down the nominations down to two employees for each core value, Service, Integrity and Respect and one overall winner. 

The winners of the Service Award were Tom Lynch and Rich DeBonte, who practice servant leadership as they meet the needs of others. Tom and Rich resemble service not only internally, to everyone they work with on the Braen Team, but externally as well, as they encounter Braen’s customers and/or vendors. Rich says, “I am humbled to be one of the recipients of the first Value Awards given by Braen Stone.   It’s an honor to work for a company that recognizes the contributions of its employees.”

The Integrity Award was granted to Kevin Harmyk and Wilbur Corter, who consistently practice and reflect Braen’s businesses beliefs.  Kevin and Wilbur continue to always stay true to their promises, always operate with consistency, and make sure everyone is treated with respect. When asked what winning this honor as meant to them, Wilbur noted, “I am proud to work for a company who acknowledges its employees,” and Kevin continued saying, “I am partial to C. S. Lewis’ quote, ‘Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.’”

Carl Ross and Jennifer McMaster, who both ensure that everyone counts and is treated equally, won the Respect Award. Carl and Jennifer lead by example, care about everyone they meet, and always have the best interest of the company in mind. Carl noted, I would like to thank Braen Stone and the Braen family for choosing me for this award. I Am very humble for this recognition,” and Jennifer continued saying, “Thank you! An abundance of gratitude for the presentation of receiving the ‘respect’ value award.  I am enamored with honor and blessed to be a part of an extraordinary company! ‘Let yourself feel the pride, but always stay humble and kind.’”

The Overall Award was granted to Mark Deighan.  Mark continuedly resembles all three core values, service, integrity, and respect.  Mark is always happy to help others and live out the Braen Core Values. Mark says, “Other than his family, being named the Vision and Values winner is my greatest honor.  I have a great team!”

Congratulations to all the Values Award winners!

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.

One Quarry Job Creates Nearly Five Others

As a family owned and operated business, Braen Stone believes in keeping customers informed with valuable information. This blog post by the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association explains the benefits of quarry jobs and the overall effect they have on the economy.

The following post is an article by the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association. The writer that wrote the article below is not affiliated with Braen Stone in any way.

EACH JOB IN A QUARRY supports nearly five jobs, 4.87 to be exact, in other industries and sectors, and this multiplier effect is found at the local and state levels.

This is just one of many facts found by the Washington D.C.-based Phoenix Center, which released an economic analysis of exactly how a stone, sand or gravel operation impacts jobs, tax revenues, other businesses and other key economic indicators in a community.

The Economic Impact of the Natural Aggregates Industry: A National, State, and County Analysis was conducted by George Ford, Ph. D., chief economist at The Phoenix Center and quantifies the current impact of the aggregates industry on the broader economy and sheds light on how an expansion of the industry, perhaps through new infrastructure spending, might ripple through the economy. “If you create opportunity in a county next door, that income comes back. It creates a feedback loop.

This study helps to see how a specific operation can affect any nearby community,” said Ford. A lot of the economic benefits can be attributed to the salaries from the aggregates industry, which are higher than the national average wages. According to the analysis, not only does the aggregates industry generate $27 billion in annual sales and employ 100,000 workers at above-average wages, the economic activity in the sector has large effects on other industries.

The industry also supports $122 billion in national sales, $32 billion in national earnings (i.e., wages) and between 364,000 and 600,000 jobs across a wide range of occupations and industries. “We know that a quarry cannot start or grow without local permits and approval.

Unfortunately, it’s often the case that local zoning committees or state departments and even neighbors oppose quarries seeking permits,” said Michael W. Johnson, NSSGA president and CEO. “This is a welcome study for our industry. One that helps to clearly demonstrate the value of aggregates operations have for towns and cities, states and the nation’s economy.”

In many cases, the benefits of a quarry are similar at the state level. Because aggregates are consumed by housing and construction projects within 50 miles of the quarry that produced them, these products literally shape their communities. In Connecticut, the state’s 486 quarry jobs translate into 2,267 statewide jobs. Texas, the state with the largest quarry work force, has 11,506 statewide jobs resulting from its 4,257 quarry jobs.

Ford said that the Phoenix Center study stands in contrast to a housing estimate study from the University of Auburn. The economist who authored the study measured house values up to five miles away from a quarry and inferred that quarries negatively affect those values.

“It’s utter garbage,” Ford said. “When you are looking for land for a quarry, do you look at Beverly Hills? No. You look for inexpensive land where there aren’t many people. When you find that, you find inexpensive homes… but you’re purposefully not locating where housing prices are high!”

Ford pointed out the long-term impacts of a quarry on communities. “Many times, people use these surveys to show an immediate benefit. But some quarries are family-owned and operated for generations at a time,” Ford said. “In Birmingham, a quarry started operating in 1884 and has plenty of rock left.

So, this study really shows the long-term benefits that quarries provide as far as jobs, income and business for a county and neighboring areas.” Also, the survey highlights that the benefits of a quarry do not end when a company finishes quarrying operations. “As a scuba diver, I know most people learn to dive in a rock quarry if you’re not near an ocean.

You have a Six Flags in a former rock quarry. Golf courses are in former quarries, heck the U.S. Open was recently played at one,” Ford said. “These are permanent benefits.” Read the full report at http://www.phoenix-center.org/scorecards/AggregatesIndustry2017 ScorecardFinal.pdf

Samuel Braen, Jr. Inducted into the NJAPA Hall of Fame

The New Jersey Asphalt Pavement Hall of Fame was established to recognize and honor individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the asphalt pavement industry leading to innovations in the production and placement of asphalt pavement, in the usage of asphalt as a paving material, and in the general advancement and recognition of the industry.

This year we are honored to announce that Samuel Braen, Jr. has been inducted into the New Jersey Asphalt Pavement Association Hall of Fame. Being a pioneer for New Jersey’s Hot Mix Asphalt industry, Samuel Braen coined one of the mottos used by Samuel Braen’s Sons, “Pioneer of Progress”. After taking over day to day control from his father in 1962, Sam strived to make his vision of modernizing Samuel Braen Sons’ operations a reality.

His vision for the future came at a time when other Hot Mix Asphalt producers in the New Jersey market were focused on the now. In order to achieve his goals, Sam spent his weekend touring other operations, sometimes as far as Georgia and the Midwest, and drawing up plans often on yellow legal pads and napkins.

Throughout his career, Sam made an impact on the quarries and asphalt plants that he managed. Creating more opportunities and introducing new components that had not traditionally been used on asphalt plant in this region before. With the innovation of all the asphalt plants to include modern technology, it only made sense to improve the operation in other areas. Samuel Braen, Jr. also sought to make improvements in his asphalt quality control departments as well as equipment.

Samuel Braen, Jr.’s vision for innovation and modernization poised Braen Stone to not only be a leader in the industry, but continue into the fifth generation and beyond.

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.