| Before you know if you need to apply lime to your | | | | composition. There should be a section in the report |
| lawn, you need to know the pH level of your soil. | | | | indicating the amount of lime you need to apply to |
| The pH level will indicate whether your lawn soil is too | | | | your lawn. |
| acidic or alkaline. The pH level range from 1.0 to 14.0. | | | | There are a few type of lime available in the market. |
| A value of 1.0 indicate extreme acidity and a value of | | | | The most common type being pulverized limestone, |
| 14.0 indicates extreme alkaline. A desirable or | | | | which is relatively inexpensive. Another type is |
| balanced pH level is between 6.5 and 7.0. If your lawn | | | | dolomitic limestone, which contain magnesium. This is |
| soil has a pH level in this range, your grasses will | | | | used when the soil test indicates that your soil is low |
| grow healthily and there is less chance of weeds | | | | in magnesium. The more expensive type of lime is |
| growing. If the pH level of your lawn soil is less than | | | | pelletized limestone, which is cleaner and easier to |
| 6.5, it is acidic and you have to add lime to bring it | | | | apply. When applying time, you should use a rototiller |
| back to balance. | | | | to work the lime into the soil for best result. |
| In general, when there is an increase in rainfall, the | | | | You can apply lime any time during the growing |
| acidity of your soil will also increase. Other factors | | | | season but not when the grasses are wilted or frost |
| that can cause acidity include irrigating with water | | | | covered. Do not apply fertilizer immediately after a |
| that has a high acid content and decomposition of | | | | lime application. Give the lime about two weeks to |
| organic matter. | | | | improve the soil before applying fertilizer. If you have |
| You can purchase a soil test kit from your nearest | | | | a new lawn, you should apply the lime before planting |
| nursery or garden center to test your lawn soil pH. | | | | any seed. |
| However, the test result will only tell you if your soil | | | | A soil test should be done every three to four years. |
| is acidic or alkaline. You will not know how much lime | | | | Apply lime to your soil only when the test result |
| is required to bring the soil back to balance. A better | | | | indicates such necessity. Too much lime will cause |
| alternative is to send a soil sample to a soil test lab | | | | your soil pH to go off balance, which will lead to |
| for testing. You can look up the yellow pages to find | | | | other lawn problems. As long as you are able to |
| one that is located in your vicinity. Once the soil test | | | | maintain a balanced pH level for your soil, your lawn |
| is completed by the lab, you will receive a report with | | | | will have a easier time to grow healthily. |
| an accurate analysis of your soil chemistry and | | | | |