When should I apply lime to my lawn?

Lime can be applied at any time of year, although applications made in the fall or early winter are preferred. Lime moves downward through the soil very slowly. Using lime is the way to raise and correct the pH of an acidic soil. Soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0 are optimum for most turfgrasses. A soil test should be taken to determine how much lime should be applied. 50 - 100 lbs. or more of lime per 1,000 sq. ft. should be applied annually to maintain healthy lawns. Lime is important to turfgrass plants because it supplies the plant with essential nutrients, particularly calcium. It also helps the soil bacteria, which decompose organic material and break down the dead tissue in the thatch layer.

One new option to be considered is Pennington’s Fast Acting Lime. It changes soil pH quicker than regular dolomitic limestone and starts working immediately to quickly raise your soil pH. The application rate for Pennington’s Fast Acting Lime is 6 lbs./1,000 sq.ft. as compared to the traditional liming rate of at least 50 lbs./1,000 sq.ft. Fast Acting Lime can be applied in the spring, summer and fall seasons. It uses AST, a revolutionary new control agent to help soils retain calcium and maintain a balanced pH.