Don’t know when to add lime to your lawn? The best time for liming your lawn is in the fall and early spring. This will give the lime plenty of time to penetrate the soil.
Here, you’ll discover why these seasons are best for adding lime and which conditions to avoid when liming your lawn.
Best time to add lime to your lawn
Apart from knowing how to apply lime, timing is also important when adding lime to your lawn. Since lime takes time to raise the soil’s pH level, using this soil amendment in the fall or early spring is more favorable.
Seasonal factors like soil moisture and temperature can help with the breakdown and absorption of lime. Here’s when you should add lime to your lawn:
Fall lime application
Whether you have warm-season grass like bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass or cool-season grass like fescue and Kentucky bluegrass, the best time to lime your lawn is in the fall. This way, the soil has several months to adjust its pH level before spring rolls around.
The cold temperature and freeze-thaw cycles will help the lime break down and penetrate the soil more effectively. So, when spring comes, your lawn can take advantage of the soil’s balanced pH and improved conditions.
Note: Since warm-season grasses enter dormancy in cold temperatures, you can add lime late in the fall. Liming in late fall will enable the lime to improve the soil condition over the winter and prepare your lawn for peak growth in the summer.
Spring lime application
While fall is the ideal time to add lime, you also can apply it in early spring. So, even if you missed the fall window for liming, you can still prepare your lawn for its active growing season. But you must apply this soil amendment early in the spring to give it enough time to adjust the soil’s pH level.
Pro tip: Remember to follow these timing guidelines to get the most out of your lime application. And, don’t forget to do a soil test before adding lime to your lawn. The soil test result will indicate the current pH level of your soil, helping you determine exactly how much lime your lawn needs.
When to avoid liming your lawn
Homeowners should not apply lime under the following conditions:
- During extreme heat: Dry, hot conditions can prevent proper absorption and lessen the effectiveness of lime. So, applying lime during summer is not a good idea even for warm-season grasses that thrive in hot weather.
- Rain is in the forecast: Newly applied lime can get washed away by rain before it gets a chance to penetrate the soil.
- Your lawn is wet: Applying lime to wet and soggy soil can cause clumping and uneven distribution.
- When grass is dormant: Since the soil’s biological activity slows down when the grass goes dormant, adding lime during this time will be ineffective.
- Your turfgrass is wilted or stressed: Lime alters the soil’s pH, so adding it to an already stressed lawn can interfere with grass recovery.
- Newly fertilized lawn: Don’t apply lime too close to when you fertilize, as they can interfere with each other. Lime your lawn at least one to two weeks before fertilization. If you’ve already fertilized your lawn, wait a month or two before adding lime.
How often should you apply lime?
Most homeowners generally lime their lawns every two to three years. However, it will still depend on the current pH level of your soil. That’s why it’s best to do a soil test every two years.
Also note that if you have sandy soil or experience frequent rainfall in your area, your soil will be more acidic. So, you may need to apply lime more often.
FAQ about adding lime to lawns
Is it essential to apply lime to my lawn?
Yes, if your soil test results indicate that your soil pH is too acidic. Adding lime can help balance the soil’s pH level, resulting in improved nutrient absorption for your grass.
What is the ideal pH level for lawns?
You’ll want a soil pH level between 6.0 and 7.0 for most grasses to thrive.
How long does lime take to work?
Typically, lime would take two to three months to balance the soil’s pH.
Hire a pro
Knowing when to add lime to your lawn won’t guarantee proper application. So, if you’re not confident applying the lime yourself, call a lawn care pro who knows the best way to lime your lawn.
Main Image Credit: Horticulture | Adobe Stock | License
