Lawn Care Application of Lime

Lime makes lawns healthier, prettier and more vigorous.

Lime, made from ground limestone, is largely calcium or calcium with magnesium. According to West Virginia University's Extension Service website, nearly all the lime available to American gardeners is calcium carbonate ground from calcic limestone.

Benefits

Lime increases a lawn's pH, which in turn makes soil nutrients more readily available to the grass. The available nutrients affect a lawn's color and resistance to drought, heat and stress from traffic.

Considerations

Whether your lawn needs lime depends on the results a soil test. Lime if the pH is less than 6.0 to raise it to between 6.0 and 7.0.

Timing

Unless the grass is wilted or frosted, apply lime at any time during the year.

How Much

Soil tests prescribe lime requirements in pounds of calcium carbonate per 1,000 square feet. On the lime bag's label, locate the calcium carbonate equivalent stated as a percentage. Multiply the soil test's requirement number by the calcium carbonate equivalent number to get the needed pounds per 1,000 square feet.

Warnings

Avoid gypsum (calcium sulfate) lime. It does not adequately sweeten the soil. Also avoid over-liming, which will make the soil too alkaline. Always test the soil first, and water it after a lime application.

References

• Ohio State University Extension: Lime and the Home Lawn; John R. Street, et al.
• West Virginia University Extension Service: Liming the Lawn; Clifford W. Collier Jr.

Resources

• Purdue University Department of Agronomy: Soil Testing for Lawns; Zac Reicher, et al.