When to Lime your lawn:
Fall marks the calendar time when you transition from maintaining your lawn to preparing for the next grass growing season. One consideration in this season is the health of the soil your grass grows in. Lawns grow best when the soil has a neutral pH level, not testing either acidic or alkaline. The pH level shows how many nutrients are in the soil and soil tends to grow acidic over time. Acidity is caused by different factors including overuse of nitrogen based fertilizers, use of compost or if the rainwater has sulphur in it.
The appearance of your lawn is not the determining factor for lime application, a test for the pH level of your soil is. Using either a home testing kit or having your soil tested by the local extension service is how you determine pH level. Generally it is best to take samples from several different areas of your lawn. When the test shows a pH level less than 5.5%, a lime application is indicated.
When to lime your lawn is determined by several factors. Fall is the recommended time because the lime application treats your soil, not your grass. You are preparing for more optimal conditions for grass growth in the next season and lime can burn growing grass so you want to apply it as the growing season comes to a close.
The application of lime should not be done when you are treating your lawn for anything else so when to lime your lawn normally occurs in the fall. During the fall you will not be doing a fertilizer application or using herbicides and the combination of those applications with lime could make your lawn problems worse instead of improving them.
Residents of parts of the country experiencing very cold winters know that when to lime your lawn is before first frost. This is true because the cycle of freezing and thawing assists the lime’s penetration of the soil. Do not apply lime when the soil is very wet, however, as it makes the lime hard to spread.
There are several types of lime. One is a compound of just calcium (calcic) and the other is a compound of calcium and magnesium (dolomitic). Your soil pH test determines type used and how much is applied. It comes in powder or pellet form, should be spread evenly and hosed down following application, to help soil penetration.
Thank you for reading. Distinctive Landscaping, Inc. is a North Attleboro Landscaper specializing in full service landscape care. Please subscribe to our blog to ensure you don’t miss out!
Jason has been President of Distinctive Landscaping, Inc. since 1996. Like many, starting with humble beginnings Jason had basic equipment and a hand full of customers. today he has grown into a successful business owner and industry recongnized professional who is responsible for growing the business, fostering livelihoods, customer satisfaction, great reputation and employee retention.