Lime is a lawn's best friend.
Lime is an important ingredient in lawn fertilizers because of its ability to neutralize soil pH. By rectifying the soil pH, turf grass will grow faster and fuller. Lime is not the only ingredient in lawn fertilizers, and it is not always necessary, but it plays a very important role in the growth of turf grass and may be the perfect solution to help your lawn grow.
Lawn Basics
Lawns are a great source of pride for many homeowners; unfortunately, they can also be a source of frustration as well. A number of factors play a role in the growth and prosperity of a lawn including, but not limited to, aeration, nutrition and soil pH. Nitrogen is a key nutrient for lawns and it is responsible for creating the rich green color. Soil pH on the other hand is also vitally important yet many homeowners' ignore this fact. As a rule, turf grass prefers to grow in a neutral soil. However, soil processes and chemical reactions going on beneath the soil have a tendency to change soil pH in favor of acidity. This is where the lime comes in, to rescue the lawn pH and raise it back up to neutral.
Preparation
Any homeowner who believes that their soil is struggling because it is too acidic should not automatically reach for the lime and spreader. In fact, many homeowners would be surprised to find that their soil is in fact within the ideal pH range for turf grass to grow. However, there is only one way to tell for sure and that is where soil testing comes into play. Soil test kits are available from most garden centers, which will allow you to test for and determine the pH of your soil. University cooperative extensions and local lawn care companies also provide testing, the only difference is their testing will cost more but it will also be much more comprehensive.
Soil Ranges
The ultimate goal for lawn caretakers is to get the pH of the soil as close to neutral as possible. However, the soil does not have to be at precisely neutral in order for the grass to grow. Most varieties of turf grass have an acceptable pH range under which they will grow. For example, Bermuda grass (and its hybrids) can withstand slightly more acidic soil therefore their acceptable pH range is 5.6 to 7.0 (with 7.0 being neutral and 14.0 as being the most alkaline). See Resources for a table of acceptable pH ranges per grass type.
Application
Spreading lime as a lawn fertilizer is a straightforward process that is done before, during or after the lawn has seeded. After reading a soil test, the homeowner is able to decide how many pounds per square inch of lime he will need in order to correct the deficiency. From there all the applier has to do is multiply the amount of lime by the square footage of his yard (notice the change of measurement) and buy the corresponding amount of lime. Lime lawn fertilizer is usually applied with a push-behind spreader, which ensures an equal distribution.
Caution
Lime is a lifesaver for some needy lawns, but it can also be a death sentence. Too much lime, or any lime at all when it is not necessary, will cause the soil to become too alkaline, thus damaging the grass. Lime can also be dangerous when it is mixed with a large amount of other chemicals like herbicides, although most combination lime and light fertilizer mixes are ok. Lastly, lime can cause lawns to burn if it is applied during a hot day, which is why it is usually applied in either the fall or the spring.
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