How to tell If your lawn needs Lime?
In this blog, we will tell you all of the necessary things you need to know on when to lime a lawn, how to lime, and why to lime your line.
Soil Ph
Firstly, you need to comprehend what is soil ph. The quantity or calculation of the acidity or the alkalinity of the soil and the resulting number varies from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 indicates neutrality, while anything above 7 indicates alkalinity, and anything below 7 (0-6) indicates acidity.
The Growth and quality of the lawn and herbs, grass, and everything that grows on the lawn is directly proportional to the pH of the home lawn. The pH of the lawn affects how it absorbs essential nutrients and other essential minerals.
pH testing determines your lawn’s pH. Then, essential actions are taken to raise or lower the pH to achieve the ideal range of 6.0 to 7.0 Testing pH is not a tough process it is a simple one. You just need a pH test kit. Which is generally available at your closest Home Depot, nursery store, or lawn supplies store. You can also order it Online. The instructions on How to use that particular pH testing kit may be different for each kit but there are some general rules that you should follow:
· Dig up holes 7-9 inches deep at different parts of your lawn
· Collect soil from each hole
· The number of holes will vary with the size of your lawn
· When you have composed soil from different parts make sure to mix them up well
· Mixing them properly so you get an Average estimated soil of the whole Lawn
· Remember you only need Soil, you must remove all the extra debris, roots, and any waste that is not soil.
· Use the kit manual on how to use that particular kit.
You may also like: How To String Lights Across The Backyard?
What Lime will do to your lawn?
Limestone raises your lawn’s soil pH to achieve the ideal pH, allowing your lawn to thrive. With the ideal pH, your lawn can absorb the necessary nutrients like potassium, nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, etc., for optimal growth
When to Lime your lawn?
After testing your soil’s pH, if the pH is below 6, meaning your lawn is acidic. Use Limestone to bring it up to wherever you want or to an ideal pH of 6.0-7.0. If your lawn pH is below 6 that means your lawn is excessively acidic. The problem with an exaggeratedly acidic lawn is that it will not engross the calcium, phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, and other nutrients as it should be. Even if you try accumulating any external fertilizer to recover the well-being of your lawn, all of it will go to waste. Acidic lawns don’t absorb nutrients as much the more alkaline soil lawns do.
Types of Lime:
Many types of limestone are used on lawns, each with unique features and advantages and disadvantages. However, their general function remains the same. Now we will discuss the types of Limestone available for Lawns:
Agriculture Limestone
This type is most common, it is available in ground form and finely comminuted. Its powder form helps it to absorb in the lawn quickly and easily. Biggest Benefit of it is that as it absorbs quickly, the lime increases the pH of Soil quickly and efficiently. Its Disadvantage is that when applying it, it is Grubbier and Dirtier than other limes with heavier grain size.
Dolomitic Limestone
It is typically used on soils that are low in magnesium and have a low pH primarily due to magnesium deficiency. This type of lime is rich in two main nutrients that are Magnesium carbonate and the other one is calcium carbonate. These two helps in Levitation the of Magnesium overall in the soil.
Pelletized Limestone
It is the same thing as Agriculture Lime, the only variance is it is less fine and more in little pieces i.e. pellets, and it is easier to spread over but stiffer for soil to absorb.
Conclusion
Need to know if your lawn needs lime? Look for patchy growth, yellowing leaves, clover or weeds, or conduct a soil test. Lime raises soil pH, improving lawn health.
To discover more informative guidance about lawn care and backyard visit our main page Perfect greenyard.