Lime Treatments for Sweet and Sour Lawn Soil
Most homeowners think of their yard in terms of the grass only, but healthy soil is the basis for the green love we call our lawn. With this in mind, you should consider whether your lawn could benefit from an application of lime.
Turf grasses will not grow well in highly acidic soils. Acid conditions in lawn soil can occur due to overuse of nitrogen fertilizers; introduction of excessive amounts of organic soil conditioner, such as compost or peat moss, and by needles dropped from evergreen bushes and trees.
Acidic soils are commonly referred to as “sour,” whereas alkaline soils are called “sweet.” Extremes on either end are not good for turf grass.
Hopefully you remember a little something from 8th grade chemistry and testing pH levels: 
remember that pH is measured from 1-14, with 7 being neutral?
Just like liquids in the chemistry lab, soil with a reaction of less than pH 7.0 is acidic and soil with a reaction greater than pH 7.0 is alkaline. Most turf grasses grow best between pH 6.5 and pH 7.0. (finicky little buggers those grass blades are!)
So how do you know your soil’s pH?
You can get a kit from one of my fine sponsors if you like. Gardens Alive!
sells a very easy to understand kit for $40. It comes with everything you need and can be used multiple times. Order now for arrival in time for Spring! (once you get to the site, use their search feature in the upper left with key words ‘soil ph’)
What’s lime and can it go in a pie?
Two important elements that help maintain the balance in the soil are calcium and magnesium. (Lime! but not for pies. 
)
Acidic soil is not necessarily useless, but is a sign that the supply of calcium and magnesium is lowand needs replenishing. What’s more, high acidity or low pH levels may also cause other nutrients to be un-usable to grass plants. The greater the acidity of the soil, the greater the need for lime.
Lime is a compound of calcium or calcium and magnesium capable of counteracting the harmful effects of an acid soil on lawn grasses
Functions of Lime
Lime is NOT a fertilizer, but more of a soil amendment or conditioner. Here’s what it helps with:
- Corrects soil acidity (obviously!)
- Furnishes important plant nutrients-calcium and magnesium (redundant right?)
- Promotes availability and use of major plant nutrients and micro nutrients. It’s like greasing a wheel… it just makes things run through more smoothly.
- It increases bacterial activity in the soil which promotes more air exchange, thus aerating the root system. (It’s all microbial and stuff like that!)
Time of Application
To obtain maximum results, the best time to apply lime to the lawn is when the soil is being prepared for planting. Too late for you and me right?
Applications of lime on existing lawnsare best applied in Fall and Spring because of cooler temperatures and readily available moisture. Pelletized lime is available at most garden stores or Home Depot, and you can use your normal broadcast spreader to apply it evenly across your lawn. –you can also get it from Gardens Alive!
You should follow the directions on the bagged product you purchase, however, I’d recommend a double pass underneath evergreen trees and shrubs as these areas are highly acidic from these acid-loving plants. Be sure to use your testing kit again about 3 weeks after the application to see if you have any improvement. If not, re-apply.
Finally, too much lime can be as damaging to lawn grasses as the lack of it. Lime is not a “magic bullet” for all lawn problems but is an essential fundamental step for soil health and the overall health of your turf.
(I’m hungry for some KeyLime Pie or Corona Light with a lime wedge, you?)
I’m watching the Daytona 500 right now and the infield there is perfectly green and striped nicely (it’s 81 degrees in Florida!). To me, the running at Daytona is the 
