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With the mention of the word lime in a previous thread, it made me think of the process of liming again. In 25 years of gardening, not always in the same garden or allotment, I have never used lime. I have heard of people using it but have never done it myself. I have always gardened in places where the soil ph is usually neutral, does this have any bearing on it, I can never find the definitive answer anywhere and it seems some gardeners do it a a matter of course. Everything seems to grow very well, all I use are the composts I make from my chicken bedding and mulches of grass mowings and spoilt hay. I have this wibbly wobbly theory that composts are all you need to grow things and that if your soil is in good heart, Roberts yer uncle, what signs should I be looking for that my soil needs lime

Different plants need different levels of acidity. If you want to grow rhododendrons or heathers you need an acid soil or have to use ericaceous composts. Most vegetables prefer a slightly acid soil but cabages, Kale etc, the brassicas, prefer a slightly alkaline soil which is why it is suggested to lime in the autumn after potatoes and to follow with Brassicas that like the high ph.

Well here's a thorough explanation for you on which to base your final decision.

I lime because I'm on clay and it does improve brassicas (no I don't grow cabbage but I do grow swede and khol rabi).

I've never used lime and I know it may depend on various things, like soil type and previous use, but never felt the need. Also as I grow lots of potatoes I know it'll be more likely to cause scab so will carry on not using it.

My soil is most definitely on the acid side of neutral but the only crops I lime are brassicas.
I find that if I don't lime them, especially sprouts, I get tip burn which makes the sprouts inedible.
When I do lime, I use ordinary builders lime which is quick acting and short lasting, which means I can grow potatoes the next year without any problems.