What Does Lime Do For Grass? When and How to Apply

Beyond basic and frequent lawn care tasks like mowing and watering, periodic maintenance tasks also exist, which require a greater investment of time. One example is applying lime to your yard, and learning what lime does for your grass is the first step.

Applying lime is a lesser-known task that has a profound and beautiful effect on your lawn. If you’re unsure when or how to apply lime to your lawn, don’t hesitate to consult a lawn care professional. Discover what lime does for grass and how to use it to your lawn's advantage.

Why Should I Apply Lime to My Grass? 

Lawn food comes in several forms, and many lawn owners understand its importance and what fertilizer does for their grass. However, fewer are aware of the role of pH in lawn care—that's where lime enters the picture. Despite containing calcium and other nutrients, lime doesn't fertilize. Instead, lime raises the lawn's pH balance to make it less acidic. Bringing soil pH into balance helps fertilizer to be more effective and produce beautiful results in your yard. 

Signs That Your Grass Needs Lime 

Not every lawn requires lime application. Lime helps balance the pH of acidic soils by making it more alkaline. Most lawn grasses grow best when pH levels are between 6.0 and 7.2. In other words, grass grows best in neutral soil. 

Acidic soils can have tell-tale signs that raise suspicion that the condition exists and it's time to add lime. Here are the types of lawn conditions that lime can help eliminate. 

• Extensive weeds growing

• Thinning grass in patches 

• Yellowing or browning grass 

• Applying fertilizer doesn’t improve grass health

• Increase in pests or lawn diseases

• Mossy appearance 

Types Of Lime

Several types of lime exist for lawn use, including two primary varieties, each available in multiple forms for application. Your chosen type depends on your soil's needs and application method preference. Both primary lime types are available in liquid and solid forms. 

• Dolomite lime: This is one of the two primary types of lime. It comes from calcium deposits and contains magnesium carbonate, which can help with photosynthesis. 

• Calcitic lime: This lime variety also comes from calcium deposits but contains less of the magnesium component. 

• Liquid lime: This lime type is sprayable using a hose-end sprayer or direct sprayer and is useful for entire lawns or spot-treating specific areas. 

• Granulate and pelletized lime: These variations of lime are useful in conjunction with drop or broadcast spreaders when treating an entire lawn or large areas. 

When to Apply Lime

Lime application can occur anytime your lawn's soil pH balance drops to near 6.0. Adding a quick soil pH test to your lawn maintenance schedule will tell you when to apply lime. After a few years, a pattern may emerge to help you plan the task in the future. Remember a few application best practices when applying lime to your lawn. 

• Apply lime in spring or fall for the best results.

• Avoid applying lime if rain is in the forecast over the next couple of days.

• Don't apply lime to a wet lawn.

• Wait until your lawn is actively growing and not dormant or stressed. 

How to Apply Lime to Your Lawn

Follow the steps below to know when, how much, and how to apply lime to your lawn when necessary. 

1. Test the Soil

Before deciding your lawn requires lime, test the soil's pH balance. Garden centers and home center retailers sell a variety of soil testing kits for home use. Many municipalities also offer soil testing information or services to help you understand your soil conditions. 

2. Determine Lime Needs

The soil test results will determine your soil's pH level, among other details. From the test, you can estimate how much lime your lawn needs by cross-referencing it with information about the lime product you intend to use. 

Determine the difference between the pH from the test results and your desired pH level and choose the appropriate amount for application. The calculation relates to the amount of lime it takes per specific square footage to raise the pH level by a precise amount. 

3. Prepare the Lawn

Dethatching your lawn is an excellent springtime lawn-care task. It's also important to perform the job before applying lime to give the application its best chance at reaching and absorbing into the soil. 

4. Aerate the Yard

Aerating your yard before applying lime can provide an excellent opportunity for the lime to penetrate deep into the soil. You can rent lawn aeration equipment and do the work yourself or hire a local lawn aeration company to perform the task for guaranteed results. 

5. Apply Lime

Carefully following the instructions of the lime product, apply the lime using a sprayer, drop spreader, or broadcast spreader over the entire area you're treating. Depending on the application method, follow a distinct pattern to ensure even coverage. To ensure high-quality results, consider hiring a professional lawn care service near you to tackle the lime application.

6. Water Lawn

If necessary, based on the lime product you use, lightly water your lawn after application, but avoid giving it a deep soaking. Follow the directions of your chosen lime product to determine how long after application you should apply water. Some lime products require immediate watering, while others require a several-hour waiting period. 

Tips for Applying Lime to Your Lawn

Applying lime to your lawn likely isn't an annual event, so it's helpful to remember a few tips to complete the task effectively and safely. 

• Adhere to the calculations for the amount of lime to put on your lawn. Applying too much will harm the grass and possibly kill it. 

• Wear appropriate safety gear for the lime product you choose. Proper gear may include gloves, glasses, dust mask, or protective work boots and clothing. 

• Choose a calm day with little to no wind to apply lime to your grass.

• Test your soil annually to determine a pattern of soil pH. Afterward, test the soil every couple of years, depending on your lawn's pH statistics, and apply lime when necessary. 

DIY Lime Application vs. Hiring a Pro

Applying lime to a lawn is a borderline DIY task. While the application process isn't difficult, lime is a powerful product and can be harmful if touched, depending on the product. Perhaps the more crucial factor is knowing the correct amount of lime to apply to achieve the best results. 

To avoid miscalculating or just to keep your weekend free, consider hiring a nearby lawn care service to perform the soil testing and lime application to ensure the best results for your yard. That way, you can ensure professional results and look forward to a restored and healthy yard.