Oh no! Is Your Lawn Sick With Lime Disease?

Take a critical look at your lawn.  Does your lawn:

  • Have patchy or bare spots even though you fertilize?
  • Have a lot of weeds?
  • Have moss growing in it?

Chances are your lawn is suffering from a lack of lime.

Grass grows best in a slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.8 (neutral on the pH scale is 7).  Our magnificent red soil is far more acidic, usually in the 5.4 to 5.7 region.  In order to raise the pH, lime should be added to raise healthy grass and have your fertilizer work at full capacity for you.

Lime is a natural occurring mineral that is safe for children, pets and the environment.  It is spread on the lawn in either a pelletized or powdered form and may be spread at anytime throughout the year. It may take a number of years of dedicated application, but the results are worth it.

Q: How much do I use?

A: A lot.  In order to raise the pH high enough to support good grass growth, it would take 3 cups per square foot.  And that’s a lot.  Applications over a longer period are better to ensure a gradual increase in the pH levels.

Q: What about fertilizer?

A:  Fertilizer should never be used on a lawn without liming first.  Nitrogen, the first number on a bag of fertilizer will bond with Hydrogen ( the H in pH or parts Hydrogen) and actually make your lawn more acidic and less favourable to grass unless lime is used.  The more acidic your soil is, the less effective the fertilizer is in feeding the grass.

The liming and fertilizing of grass will help promote vigorous and healthy growth and sturdy competition for weeds looking for a place to set down roots.  Moss will eventually disappear and although bare spots may need overseeding, and you are seeding in an area that will provide optimal growth.

Lime is needed for a beautiful lawn.