How do you know when to lime the lawn? You pay attention; you educate yourself on the liming process, and you work with professionals who know the lay of the land.
If you want the greenest, lushest lawn possible throughout the year, now is the time to start planning when to lime the lawn. Follow these tips in assessing your lawn’s needs.
Take a sample of the soil in your yard.
Many locations throughout Georgia have a high content clay in the soil. This is wonderful for at-home crafters wanting to make their own materials. It’s less helpful for gardeners wanting a thick and healthy yard cover. Grass needs certain minerals, and it needs to rid itself of others. When there’s too much clay in the soil, the acidity won’t allow these processes to take place. You wind up with yellowed, starving grass, despite frequent fertilization. This is where lime comes in. Lime is capable of adjusting the acidity of soil, allowing for grass to soak up nutrients and shed waste. First though, you’ll have to have your soil tested by the local Extension Office to determine the ground’s pH so you will know when to lime the lawn.
Find an affordable source for dolomitic lime.
Different types of plants flourish with more or less acid in the soil, but for fescue grass—the most common variety in Georgia—it’s best to keep pH levels between 4.5 and 7.0. You’ll want to add lime to your soil if the acidity tests come back with a rating below 5.5. The best type of product to use on your lawn is called dolomitic lime. The other type of lime sold by gardening centers is often called aglime or agricultural lime. Aglime consists solely of crushed limestone while dolomitic lime also contains magnesium to help re-establish nutrients found in the soil. The only exception would be if your soil test came back with a high magnesium count. Too much of any element isn’t healthy for your lawn.
Prepare for a fall application before seasonal rains set in.
Lime can be applied to the soil at any time of year. If left in granule form, you should aim for days without much wind. The wind can easily blow it onto neighboring properties. You can also use a liquid form consisting of lime and water. As an alternative, you can apply lime in fall when winter rains will water it in naturally. You may have to add lime to your soil every few years in order to maintain healthy grass, however, it’s best not to do it more than once every three years to prevent your yard from becoming to alkaline.
Learn When to Lime the Lawn with Think Green Lawn Care
Contact Think Green Lawn Care to learn how and when to lime the lawn on your property. Call (678) 648-2556 and talk to one of our experts today.
