How to Apply Lime to Your Yard

Adding lime to your yard will increase your lawn's growth and health.

An application of lime is often necessary for home lawns in order to increase the pH in the soil. When soil pH is too low, usually below 6.0, the quality and strength of the lawn can suffer. This often happens in areas where heavy rainfall or irrigation leaches out the lawn's nutrients. With the correct soil test and application method, you can add lime to your lawn to increase its pH and ultimately, its quality.

Things You'll Need

• Soil testing kit
• Lime
• Spreader
• Gloves

Instructions

1. Perform a soil test on your lawn. You can purchase a soil testing kit at most hardware stores, or at a local university extension office. Wait for the results of the soil test kit before you add lime to your yard because the pH level of the lawn will directly influence how much lime you need to add.

2. Read the results of your soil test. The soil test will indicate how much lime your lawn requires. It will be indicated in pounds of pure calcium carbonate per acre.

3. Fill a spreader with lime product. If you have a small yard or a yard that contains many flower beds or other items that you do not want to get dusted by the lime, you can spread the lime product with your hands, though make sure that the bag indicates that it is safe to use with your bare or gloved hands. A spreader will ensure that you cover the lawn evenly with the lawn, and will also allow you to place lime near flower beds and other plants, shrubs and trees that are acid-loving. Push the spreader up and down your lawn in even lines, like a lawnmower, until you have covered your entire lawn with the lime.

4. Perform another soil test in the spring. For most lawns in the United States, lime will not need to be applied more than once every three to five years.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase the amount of limestone that is required for your size yard. Also, purchase a product that is as close to pure calcium carbonate as possible. The bag will note a percentage next to the words "Calcium Carbonate Equivalent." Products such as ground limestone, calcitic limestone or pelleted contain more than 95 percent calcium carbonate and are ideal for lawns.

• Apply the lime in the fall when the ground is getting hard. This will ensure equal distribution throughout the lawn.

References

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