Does My Lawn Need Lime?

Agriculture lime for lawns works to balance pH levels from acidic to neutral and reduces soil toxicity. Most lawns, sod or grass, require pH levels between 6.0 and 7.0, reports the Ohio State University. Understand when and why to use lawn lime for lush turf growth.

What is pH?

pH levels measure how acidic or basic a sample is, where 0 is highly acidic and 14 is a pure base. Lawns prefer slightly acidic soils with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5, but can grow in neutral soils with a pH of 7.0. Understanding your lawns pH level is important for promoting healthy turf growth. However, different varieties of lawn grass require varying levels of pH, where a pH level of 6.5 may be best for one type of grass and 6.0 is best for another. Hardware and home and garden stores sell basic pH test kits that can measure the pH level of your soil. Soil that is acidic or basic makes it difficult for plants to obtain nutrients for proper growth.

What causes acidic soil?

Several factors influence soil pH levels including fertilizer application, nutrient leaching and heavy rainfall or irrigation, reports the Ohio State University. When soil conditions turn from slightly acidic or neutral to acidic, lime works as a base to help balance pH levels.

How much lime do I need?

The amount of lime depends on three factors, the size of your lawn, ph level and the type of lime. Concentrated forms of lime require less per square foot than pelletized or granular lime. The amount of lime recommendations can be found on the package of the lime product you wish to use. However, too much lime can make soil too basic, which does makes it hard for lawn grass to absorb nutrients. Liming usually occurs every year as needed. However, check pH levels yearly to determine if liming is necessary and how much lime to apply to balance soil pH levels.

Other benefits

In addition to correcting soil pH, lime also adds calcium and magnesium to soil. Calcium and magnesium are secondary nutrients required for healthy lawn and plant growth. According to the West Virginia University Extension Service, lime increases bacterial activity, which creates soil conditions favorable for lawn growth. Lime also reduces the intake of some elements, such as aluminum and iron, which cause unfavorable growth in acidic soil conditions.

Sources:

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/4000/4026.html

http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/turf/liming.htm