is lime necessary?

When making your own potting mix?

Absolutely. The only time I ever had a problem with a grow was because of lack of enough lime. My soil became to acidic, and had some lockout.

Thanks chap! Getting my first batch of home made ready tomorrow. Hopefully it goes good. Better pick a small bag of perlite also

No, it isn't. Having ample amounts of calcium and magnesium is necessary. This can be done in other manners, but lime is cheap and readily available. Also, check your pH before using your soil.....too high of a pH is just as bad as too low of one.

Why is lime so bad? I've seen you post about the lime rock shelf near you but what does that have to do with dolomite lime being used in the proper amounts? Obviously other things can be used like oyster shell for calcium but I really dont see the harm in it... If you know what the PH of your soil is and monitor/adjust accordingly, even though its something that doesnt happen to often, whats the problem? Just curious...