There’s that old saying: “you can’t manage what you don’t measure.” So it goes for fertilizing your lawn. Many homeowners struggle to determine how much lime they should add to their yard to improve the health of their grass.
What’s more, many people are unaware of the fact that over-fertilizing can do more harm than good. That’s why today, we’re providing a lawn lime calculator to help you get the right dosage for your home.
With just a few simple clicks, you’ll be able to input your garden size and get customized results based on the pH level of your soil and the type of grass you have. Read on to learn more about how our lawn lime calculator works.
Contents
- What is Lime?
- How Much Lime to Add to lawn Soil?
- How to Use Our Lawn Lime Calculator
- Why is Lime Needed for Lawn?
- How Often Should I Lime My Lawn?
- When is the Best Time to Lime My Lawn?
- How Much Time Does Lime Take to Work on the Lawn?
- How Many Square Feet Will a 50 Lb Bag of Lime Cover?
- How Much Does a 40 Lb Bag of Pelletized Lime Cover?
- Author
What is Lime?
Lime is a white or gray powder that is derived from limestone. It is used in gardening for various purposes, including
- Neutralizing soil acidity
- Adjusting pH levels
- Adding essential nutrients to the soil
Lime is available in two forms: calcitic lime and dolomitic lime. Calcitic lime is made from calcium carbonate, while dolomitic lime contains calcium and magnesium carbonates.
Dolomitic lime is the preferred type for gardening, providing calcium and magnesium to the soil.
Hydrated lime is another type that is sometimes used in gardening, but it has more neutralizing power than limestone, so you should apply less of it to the soil.
How Much Lime to Add to lawn Soil?
Many gardeners are faced with the question of how much lime to add to their soil. As is often the case with gardening, the answer is “it depends.” The amount of lime needed to neutralize acidity in the soil depends on the current pH level and the type of lime used.
In general, however, 20 to 50 pounds (9-23 k.) of ground limestone per 1,000 square feet (93 m²) will be sufficient for mildly acidic lawns.
This lime calculator can help determine the specific amount of lime needed for your lawn. It can also answer questions about how often lime applications are required and the timing of those applications.
With a little help from the calculator, you’ll be sure to add just the right amount of lime to your soil.
How to Use Our Lawn Lime Calculator
First, you need to know the existing pH of your soil. You can test this yourself with a soil test kit, or you can ask your local nursery or county extension office for information on the average pH in your area.
Next, you need to know the type of soil you have. This will determine the rate at which the lime will be absorbed.
Finally, you need to know the size of your garden in square feet. With this information, you can plug it into our lawn lime calculator, and it will tell you how much lawn lime to use. These simple steps will ensure a healthy lawn free of disease and pests.
Why is Lime Needed for Lawn?
Most people are familiar with adding lime to the soil to improve plant growth. However, many don’t know exactly why lime is so beneficial.
Essentially, lime works by offsetting the acidity of the soil. This is important because a low soil pH can inhibit the availability of nutrients, making it more difficult for plants to thrive.
Adding lime to the soil effectively raises the pH and creates an environment more conducive to plant growth. In other words, if you want your lawn to look its best, be sure to add some lime to the mix.
How Often Should I Lime My Lawn?
The frequency with which you need to lime your lawn will depend on the current pH of the soil and the type of grass you are growing. In general, however, most grasses do best in slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
If your soil is more basic (pH> 7.0), you may not need to lime as often. Conversely, if your soil is more acidic (pH< 6.0), you may need to lime more frequently.
The best way to determine the current pH of your soil is to have it tested by a professional. Once you know the pH, you can use our lime calculator to determine how often you need to apply lime.
When is the Best Time to Lime My Lawn?
The best time to lime your lawn is typically in the fall after the growing season has ended. This allows the lime to work its way into the soil and adjust the pH before grasses begin actively growing again in the spring.
Lime can be applied at any time of year, and the timing of your application will ultimately depend on the current pH of your soil and the type of grass you are growing.
How Much Time Does Lime Take to Work on the Lawn?
Depending on the type of lime you use, the condition of your soil, and weather conditions, the benefits of lime may occur within the first few months after application, or it may take up to three years for full effect.
However, one thing is certain: if you want a healthy lawn, it’s worth being patient and giving lime the time it needs to work its magic.
How Many Square Feet Will a 50 Lb Bag of Lime Cover?
A general rule of thumb is that a 50-pound bag of lime will cover 1,000 square feet of lawn. However, if your soil is only mildly acidic, you may be able to get away with using less.
For example, a 40-pound bag should be enough to cover 1,000 square feet if the soil doesn’t require a lot of lime.
So how do you know how much lime to use? The best way is to have your soil tested by a professional. They’ll be able to tell you exactly how much lime you need to apply to achieve the ideal pH level for your lawn.
How Much Does a 40 Lb Bag of Pelletized Lime Cover?
The short answer is approximately 5,000 square feet. Pelletized lime provides up to 26 weeks of coverage, making it a lawn-care gamechanger. By continually releasing nutrients, pelletized lime helps to eliminate the need for constant fertilization.
So, how much lawn lime does your lawn need? The short answer is that it depends on the soil’s pH and the yard’s size. For a more accurate estimate, use our lawn lime calculator or contact your local agricultural extension office.
They can help you determine how much limestone to add to your soil to reach the desired pH level. Remember that too much lawn lime can negatively affect your plants, so always aim for the sweet spot—a pH level just right for your grass and garden.
References
National Gardening Association
