What Does Lime Do for Grass?
Soil acidity
When grass grows, it draws minerals such as calcium and magnesium from the soil that help maintain a balanced pH. Every few years, those minerals need to be replaced; otherwise, soil becomes acidic. When the soil becomes more acidic than a pH of 6.5, grass will start having problems growing, turn yellow and eventually die. Some plants tolerate acidic soil better, but grass is not one of them. If you use a lot of lawn clippings, compost or fertilizer on your lawn, the decaying organic matter will react with water in the soil to create a weak solution of carbonic acid that will start to affect soil acidity after a few years. Soils derived from granite tend to be more acidic, and those derived from limestone tend to be more alkaline. If you live in a region that receives more than 30 inches of rain per year, the heavy rainfall can slowly turn the soil more acidic over centuries.
Remedy
Lime is a compound of calcium and magnesium; it comes in several forms and balances as a soil amendment. When you buy lime from a plant or garden store, it may be labeled "ground limestone" or "agricultural lime." It is most likely pulverized limestone, or calcium carbonate. Hydrated lime or slaked lime can be more effective than ground limestone because it reacts quicker. Pelleted lime is the easiest form to clean up and flows through a spreader more smoothly. Burnt lime or quick lime is caustic to the touch, so wear gloves when handling it.
The ideal time to apply lime to your lawn is in the fall, preferably when the soil is dry and just before the wet season of winter. Till the lime into the soil before planting grass. But if you have an established lawn, spread the lime evenly and lightly. Lime only sinks; it does not move horizontally. It sinks slowly---only about an inch per year---so don't use it too often. You may need to test the soil pH to make sure you use the right amount of lime. The rate most farmers use is one to two tons of lime per acre, so 1,000 square feet of your lawn could take up to 100 pounds of lime.
Effects
If used correctly, lime replenishes nutrients (calcium and possibly magnesium) to the soil, allowing healthy grass to grow. The alkalinity of the lime also corrects the drift toward acidic soil. Lime also reduces the toxic nature of aluminum, iron and manganese, which, if they start to dissolve, can poison your lawn. Lime regulates other elements that are nutrients for grass and other plants, such as zinc, copper and phosphorous.
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