Lime For Your Lawn

Lawn lime is made from ground limestone, which naturally contains magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate. Once added to a yard in a lawn lime treatment, these ingredients increase the pH of the soil and restore the balance of alkaline and acid.

Depending on the turf type and location of the turf, most lawns do best with a pH level between 6 and 7. When your soil is at this level, the nutrients in the soil thrive and the soil is much more receptive to added nutrients from fertilizer.

Before you blindly lime your lawn, we first suggest performing an at-home soil analysis or bringing a soil sample to your local extension office for an analysis. Once you know your soil’s pH and the nutrients it lacks, you can add the appropriate amount of lime needed to raise your soil’s pH.

To apply your lawn lime, use a granular spreader that is calibrated according to the label of the lime’s package. Walk back and forth across your lawn to evenly spread the lime, sweeping any lime that lands on sidewalks and driveways back into your yard.

Lime should be applied at least twice per year, in the fall and spring, but can be applied more if needed. Consult the label of your lime product for application rates and timing.

Retest your soil’s pH every few months to see if more lime is needed. The soil’s pH can change throughout the year due to temperatures and other soil amendments added.

Lawn lime is not a replacement for fertilizer. It should be used in addition to lawn fertilizer for a healthy lawn.

Watch our video to learn How to Apply Lime in the Yard .