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Putting too much lime on your lawn can change the soil's pH level from acidic to alkaline. While grass doesn't do well in acidic soils, an alkaline situation can be just as detrimental to its health. Alkaline soil blocks the grass's ability to absorb vital nutrients necessary for survival. If you apply too much lime, you can reverse the effects over a relatively short time by applying commercially available products designed for the purpose or by adding compost to the soil.

At its core, soil pH is a measure of how many hydrogen ions are present in your soil. In highly acidic soil (low pH), plant growth is difficult due to reduced microbial availability in the dirt.

In highly alkaline soil, plants may struggle to grow due to iron deficiencies. In either case, a lack of balance deprives grass or plants of some key nutrients they need to grow.

A pH reading of 6 to 7.5 is ideal for most plants. Slight acidity is, generally speaking, less of an issue than slight alkalinity. Many plants can still thrive in slightly acidic soil.

It’s not required, but it is helpful if your goal is to produce new growth. Any fertilization should occur after the lawn is aerated and before the compost is applied. If you also plan to spread seed, you’ll want to do so after the fertilizer is applied and once the ground is damp, but not wet.

If the grass is dead, you cannot bring it back to life. However, you can grow new grass in its place or try the methods mentioned above to revive the grass if it isn’t entirely dead. You can expect St. Augustine grass to come back after moderate droughts, but it will suffer significant nutrient loss after an extended period of drought.