While acid soil tends to make itself known by lawn grasses that fail to thrive or problems with moss growth the only way to verify that acid soil is an issue is with a soil ph test you can buy diy soil test kits at garden centers and hardware stores but these tests are often unreliable and the information may not tell you how much lime your lawn needs.
Lime treatment for lawns.
The calcium specifically has a sort of regulating effect on other soil nutrients such as copper phosphorous and zinc all of which can have damaging effects and inhibit growth.
The only way to find out for sure is to take a soil test inexpensive tests are available at garden centers.
Lime s primary role is to alter soil ph and offset soil acidity which can improve the availability of plant nutrients.
If you live a rainy area where acid loving plants such as rhododendrons and camellias thrive your soil is likely acidic and may benefit from lime lawn treatment.
What does lime do for grass.
Lime for lawn care can actually help reverse the effects of damaging elements found in grass including aluminum iron and manganese.
Soil ph preferences vary between regional lawn grasses but most grasses prefer soil ph between 5 8 and 7 2.
When lawns are weedy patchy in spots or turn yellow it may be a sign that the ph balance of your yard is out of whack.
Lime should only be applied to a dry lawn and never to a lawn that is dormant wilted or stressed.
One of the primary methods of correcting the.
Limestone is most effective at changing the soil ph when it is mixed in with the top 5 inches of soil which means it s easier to adjust your soil s ph before planting grass seed or laying sod than it is to add it to an established lawn.