Getty Images / Jiamiao Lin
Gardeners will most likely need to lime their lawn at some point.
Lime is a soil amendment used to increase the soils pH, making it less acidic.
Liming your lawn enhances nutrient availability, which promotes healthy root and leaf growth.
Credit:Getty Images / Jiamiao Lin
However, not all lawns require liming.
Get to know thespecies of grassin your lawn as well soil characteristics to determine if your lawn needs liming.
Some lawn grasses are more tolerant of low pH than others.
Soil pH measures the relative acidity or alkalinity of the soil.
The ideal soil pH for Bermudagrass, zoysia, and St. Augustine grasses is between 6.0 and 6.5.
Centipede and tall fescue grasses, on the other hand, thrive in soils with a pH around 5.5.
When soil pH falls below these ranges, lawns may need liming.
The best way to do this is to submit a soil sample through your local county Extension office.
When you test your soil through your states soil lab, you will receive expert information regarding soil health.
These recommendations are based not only on a soils pH, but also the soil throw in.
Turfgrasses struggle to grow when soils are too acid.
Look for stunted or reduced growth and yellowing of the lawn as grass becomes nutrient deficient.
You may notice that lawns do not respond tofertilizer applicationsin the same way they had before.
You may also start to see more weeds.
In moist areas, mosses also establish quickly in acidic lawns.
Note that many of these signs can also indicate other problems, such as a nutrient deficiency.
This is why soil testing is so important.
By raising soil pH, lime enhances the ability of plants to utilize nutrients in the soil.
This makes any fertilizer applications you make more effective.
The results are a lush, green lawn that is better able to combat weeds.
A healthier lawn also resists pest pressure and is more tolerant of heat and drought.
Finally, the main component of lime is calcium, an essential plant nutrient.
Calcium strengthens plant tissues, making them less susceptible to disease.
Types Of Lime For Lawns
Lime is made by grinding calcium-rich limestone into a spreadable product.
Dolomitic lime is commonly recommended for sandy soils as well as those deficient in magnesium.
Lime is available in a powdered or pelletized form.
Pelletized (also called granular) lime is easier to spread and less dusty.
This provides several months during the dormant season for lime to begin to work.
The effects of lime decrease over time-liming is not a onetime fix.
After that, test soils every three years or so to determine if additional lime applications are needed.
Spreaders help ensure even coverage across the lawn.
You may need to water the area multiple times to work the lime down into the soil profile.
Precautions And Considerations
There is such a thing as too much lime.
It is best to base applications on annual soil tests, as soil pH changes over time.
Conclusion
For many homeowners, liming your lawn is an important component oflawn health care.
Applying lime when needed ensures your lawn remains healthy and vibrant.
