First of all, have you had a soil test and determined that lime is needed?

Your approach of adding compost, sand (not too much or it turns into brick) and soil conditioner may be all you need. And don't forget to use lots of organic mulch (pine straw, bark mulch) to keep feeding the soil and the critters that live in it.

esh, since the lime does not nourish the plant, but makes the nutrients available, can't I just assume it needs it? I JUST DON'T WANT TO WAIT, I didn't mean to all cap that, but it fits. I'm just out of time for my plants, I have had some setbacks getting started. I'm never the one that wants instant gratification, but this move has taken all I've got and I need some. Thanks

I really don't know if you can just assume that it needs it. I did the following search on Google: "applying lime when it is not needed" to see what others might say. Click on the hotlink (search) to see what others said.

According to one UGA publication: Soils can be tested any time during the year. However, allow enough time for the analysis and for fertilizer and lime application. Lime reacts slowly and, if possible, it should be mixed with the soil two to three months before planting.

So applying lime now won't help you immediately.

Another publication: Lime - If the soil becomes too acid, correct this by applying lime. Use a good agriculture grade of limestone. In most cases, a dolomitic source of limestone should be used. Base all lime applications on soil test results.

Around here, our soils tend to be naturally on the acidic side but that doesn't mean they are "too acid".

I don't really have the answer for you - I never apply lime myself and everything seems to do fine (although I have heard that tomatoes appreciate some, but I don't grow tomatoes). You might want to call your county office for the UGA extension service (although I'm sure they'd want you to do a soil test).

thanks esh, for your help and even a doing a search, guess I'm trying too hard to make the perfects beds, so I can just enjoy one finished flower bed, while I get my veggie beds going.. There is just so much more to do, the energy already starting to wane, and it's only April.

Chances are, you will need to lime your veggie garden if you are planning on growing tomatoes.
Lime in your soil helps loosen up the calcium which is very rich in red clay soil but is bound up and not readily available to plants.
Liming can reduce and eliminate blossom end rot easily.
So get a cheap PH test kit and have some scientific fun!

never lime without doing a soil test first. I see people do this all the time, they do it because they "heard" about liming.

A soil test is cheap and easy, drop it off at your county extension office and you will have results with very specific recommendations within 8-10 days.

Don't just assume your soil needs lime. Soil acidity or pH levels really affect plants abilities to uptake nutrients, and soil pH levels can vary dramatically within just a few miles.

I've never done it before, I have always had alkaline soil. I read in Walter Reeves' Georgia Gardener's Guide, but nothing specific. Now, I'm worried about the sand that was the first layer and added everything else on top before tilling, as I'm digging to plant my perrenials, I'm finding the sand layer one w/the clay. Not very encouraged at this point.