<\/p>
- How lime and fertilizer work for your lawn<\/a><\/li>
- Benefits of simultaneous application<\/a><\/li>
- Drawbacks of simultaneous application<\/a><\/li>
- Best practices for applying lime and fertilizer<\/a><\/li>
- Applying lime and fertilizer separately<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
How lime and fertilizer work for your lawn<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Man](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Applying-lime-to-lawn.jpeg\")
Lime raises soil pH by adding calcium and magnesium. Photo Credit: Horticulture<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure> Fertilizer is plant food; it provides nutrients that grass needs to grow. Lawn fertilizers supply three major nutrients \u2013 nitrogen for green growth, phosphorus for root development and energy use, and potassium for disease resistance and overall hardiness. These nutrients are listed on fertilizer bags as N-P-K numbers. <\/p>
Lime isn\u2019t a fertilizer; it\u2019s a soil amendment that raises the soil pH (reduces soil acidity) by adding calcium and magnesium. Turf generally does best in slightly acidic to neutral soil<\/a> (around 6.0 to 7.0). When the pH is too low, nutrients get tied up and grass struggles to use them.<\/p>
\u201cIf your soil pH is too low (below 5.5), most plants will not grow well no matter how much fertilizer you add,\u201d explains Charlotte Glen, master gardener, NC State University Extension. <\/p>
But lime is not always needed. Alison O\u2019Connor, extension professor of horticulture with Colorado State University Extension, cautions that there are places, such as Colorado, where soils already contain plenty of natural lime.<\/p>
\u201cSince Colorado soils have a lot of free lime, adding more is generally not one of our recommendations,\u201d she explains. \u201cThis is generally done in Eastern climates that tend to have more weathered, acidic soils.\u201d<\/p>
In short, fertilizer feeds your grass; lime balances the soil so that the feed works.<\/strong> Because every yard is different, a soil test tells you if lime is needed, how much to apply, and the nutrients your lawn actually lacks. It also prevents over-liming that can create new problems.<\/p>
Read more:<\/strong><\/p>
- What is N-P-K? A Guide to Understanding Fertilizer Ratios<\/a><\/li>
- Benefits of Lime for Your Lawn<\/a><\/li>
- How to Soil Test Your Lawn<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Benefits of simultaneous application<\/span><\/h2>
Applying lime and fertilizer at the same time can have some advantages:<\/p>
- Convenience:<\/strong> The biggest benefit is saving time and labor. Applying lime and fertilizer together means fewer trips across your lawn; one pass with the spreader takes care of both. <\/li>
- Dual action:<\/strong> Your lawn gets nutrients from the fertilizer right away, while the lime begins its work adjusting soil pH. <\/li>
- Single weather window:<\/strong> You need to apply lawn fertilizer when some rain is expected, but not a downpour that would cause runoff. Lime, similarly, should be watered in after application. Combining applications allows you to capitalize on one ideal day of mild rain or watering.<\/li>
- Soil Improvement:<\/strong> Combining lime with your fertilization schedule can jump-start soil correction. <\/li> <\/ul>
Read more: <\/strong>Best Fertilizer Spreaders<\/a><\/p>
Drawbacks of simultaneous application<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Man](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/weed-and-feed-1.jpg\")
Applying lime and fertilizer together saves time but can dilute some of the benefits. Photo Credit: Shutterstock<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> On the other hand, there are some drawbacks and potential inefficiencies when you apply lime and fertilizer at the same time:<\/p>
- Nutrient loss: <\/strong>One drawback is a chemical interaction that can occur with ammonium-based fertilizers. According to Rocky Lemus, professor and researcher at the Mississippi State University Extension, applying lime at the same time as these fertilizers can cause some of the nitrogen to convert to ammonia gas and be lost to the air. In practical terms, you might lose a portion of the nitrogen you paid for. <\/li>
- Phosphorus tie-up: <\/strong>Calcium in lime can bind with phosphorus from fertilizer, forming insoluble compounds, making some of it unavailable to your grass, explains Lemus.<\/li>
- Timing mismatch:<\/strong> Lime can take months to change pH. If the soil is still acidic at fertilization time, plants won\u2019t absorb nutrients effectively. <\/li> <\/ul>
Best practices for applying lime and fertilizer<\/span><\/h2>
Whether you choose to apply lime and fertilizer together or separately, following some best practices will ensure you have the healthiest lawn and the most value from your efforts:<\/p>
- Test your soil first:<\/strong> Always start with a soil test to determine your lawn\u2019s pH and nutrient needs. The test report will tell you if your soil is acidic and needs lime, and how much to apply.<\/li>
- Follow recommended rates:<\/strong> More is not better. Use the amount of lime suggested by your soil test and product label. Calibrate your spreader and measure your lawn area for even coverage. <\/li>
- Choose the right time for application:<\/strong> Lawns should be fertilized during the grass type’s active growing season. For cool-season grasses, the best windows are fall and spring, while warm-season grasses respond best to fertilization in late spring and summer. Lime is different. According to turf specialists at Ohio State University Extension, lime can be applied any time the soil isn\u2019t frozen and the grass isn\u2019t stressed. Still, fall and early spring are the best choices.<\/li>
- Water after application: <\/strong>Moisture activates fertilizer and dissolves lime so it can begin altering soil pH. A gentle rain can accomplish this, or you can use your sprinklers. <\/li> <\/ul>
See related:<\/p>
- How to Apply Lime to Your Lawn<\/a><\/li>
- When to Add Lime to Your Lawn<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Lime, fertilizer, and a helping hand<\/span><\/h2>
A healthy lawn needs both proper nutrition and the right soil conditions. Fertilizer feeds your grass, while lime balances the soil so those nutrients can be absorbed. Applying them at the right times will make your efforts more effective and save you money in the long run. If you\u2019re unsure about your soil needs, LawnLove can connect you with a local lawn fertilizer pro<\/a>. Their guidance can ensure your lawn gets exactly what it needs. <\/p>
\t\t\t\t\t\tSources<\/strong><\/p> \t\t\t
<\/span><\/div> \t\t<\/div> \t\t\t- PhD Alison O\u2019Connor<\/a>. Extension Professor of Horticulture. Colorado State University Extension. Personal Interview.<\/li>
- \u201cDoes Your Lawn or Garden Need Lime?<\/a>\u201d By Charlotte Glen. Master Gardener. Horticultural Science. NC State University Extension.\u00a0<\/li>
- \u201cEffects of Liming Materials on Soil pH<\/a>.\u201d By Rocky Lemus. Extension and Research Professor. Plant and Soil Sciences. Mississippi State University Extension.\u00a0<\/li>
- \u201cLime and the Home Lawn<\/a>.\u201d Ohio State University Extension.\u00a0<\/li>
- \u201cTiming of Lime and Fertilizer Applications<\/a>.\u201d By Tracy Allen. University of Massachusetts Extension.\u00a0<\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>
- \u201cDoes Your Lawn or Garden Need Lime?<\/a>\u201d By Charlotte Glen. Master Gardener. Horticultural Science. NC State University Extension.\u00a0<\/li>
- When to Add Lime to Your Lawn<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
- Follow recommended rates:<\/strong> More is not better. Use the amount of lime suggested by your soil test and product label. Calibrate your spreader and measure your lawn area for even coverage. <\/li>
- Phosphorus tie-up: <\/strong>Calcium in lime can bind with phosphorus from fertilizer, forming insoluble compounds, making some of it unavailable to your grass, explains Lemus.<\/li>
- Dual action:<\/strong> Your lawn gets nutrients from the fertilizer right away, while the lime begins its work adjusting soil pH. <\/li>
- Benefits of Lime for Your Lawn<\/a><\/li>
- Benefits of simultaneous application<\/a><\/li>