Search

Do You Actually Have to Add Lime to “Sweeten the Soil”?

Share this post:

lime treatments for your lawn Adding lime to a lawn or garden to “sweeten the soil” is one of the numerous sayings that people often espouse regarding their gardening efforts. There is a good deal of truth in this adage, but there is also some reservation that this is a good practice for every lawn. The best and only way to determine if your lawn truly needs lime is to have the soil pH tested by a reputable soil testing service. Most County Extension Services offer soil testing services for free or for a small fee. Do a search on line for soil testing services and you will find many options in your area. Turf grasses grow best at a neutral pH of 6.5 to 7.0. below 6.5, and the soil is considered to be acid or “sour.” Lime would be the best material to raise the pH. If the pH is above 7.0, then the soil is too alkaline, using sulfur to lower the pH is the best solution. Most soil tests will provide recommendations on what products should be added to the lawn to correct any deficiencies.

Does your lawn need an application of lime?

Although a soil test is the best indicator of soil pH, there are a few signs that may help you determine if your lawn needs to have an application of lime.
  1. Excessive weed or moss growth - many weeds and moss are acid-loving plants and grow better in low pH soils.
  2. Poor response to fertilizer applications - low pH inhibits the utilization of nutrients from a fertilizer application, regardless of how much is applied or how often.
  3. Sandy soils - sandy soils don’t maintain a good pH for very long. Calcium, an important nutrient for good turf growth, can quickly leach from the soil, leaving it more acidic.
  4. Older soils - over time, soils can become more acidic because of rainfall and organic matter that breaks down, which can be a natural process of the lawn and can leave the soil more acidic.
When taking samples from your lawn for a soil test, it is best to provide about 3 cups of soil that is not too wet. Remove any grass or thatch from the top of the sample. If you don't own a soil probe, you will have to use a garden trowel to take the samples. Take soil from the top three to four inches of the lawn. Try to take samples from 10 to 20 different sites from your lawn and mix them all together in a box or bag.  Soil pH will vary from spot to spot within in any lawn, so the idea is to get a mixture of soil from across your lawn. The amount of lime you need to add will be based on the soil test recommendations. The amounts can range from 5 pounds of lime per 1,000 sq. ft. to as much as 100 pounds of lime per 1,000 sq. ft. I know that I plan to test my soil this year as I have never had a test done on my own lawn. I just may  find out that I need to add some lime to my lawn to make it look even better than it already does. To find out more about lime applications for your lawn, contact your Neighborhood Lawn Care Professional at Spring-Green.