[Lawn Lad]

I've done some searching on the internet and on this site and have not found specific enough answers. Maybe ya'll can help me on this one.

We've conducted soil tests to all of our properties, and in some cases tested different turf areas on the various properties. We need to apply lime to some of the properties in varying amounts. The soil tests provide the recommended rates to correct the pH.

In some cases the amount required to fix a low pH is significant. What is the maximum amount of lime that should be applied per 1,000 sq ft? I've heard that we shouldn't apply more than 50 lbs at any one time... is this accurate?

How close together can we apply the next application of lime to the lawn?

Will the lime application affect the efficacy of a fertilizer application? I've read that lime is best applied in the winter - as it takes three to four months to get the lime incorporated into the soil and to change the pH. Okay, we're not in winter time now, so is there a problem with applying lime in the spring and/or fall?

[Neal]

Ive also been doing lots of soil testing on all our properties. My understanding is that you don't want to apply any more lime than 50 #s per 1000 sq ft. But if the recommendation calls for more you do the 50 #s wait a season and test again, and maybe apply again. The idea being that you will bring it up incrementally.

I feel soil testing is too often overlooked by landscapers. Besides the State soil testers like cooperative extension, there also a number of private labs out there that do it affordably and quickly (A BIG PLUS COMPARED TO THE STATE).

Also about working the lime in. I recently bought a Calcitic lime they say is a micro prill. Its basically super mini pelletized lime. That helps with ease of application, and is able to be watered in. Sounded like a winner to me.

One think I would like help with is I dont understand how the lime will affect the nutrient needs of the plants. For example if the soil test says you need 20 pounds of 10% Phosphorous per 1000 sq ft, wouldnt that need be changed when the acidity changes? Because at different Ph's plants are able to uptake nutrients or not. I would appreciate any comments on this.

[Lawn Lad]

I've heard also that 50#'s/1 K sq ft is the maximum per application. I've also heard that applying lime w/in two to three weeks of a fertilizer application can reduce the efficacy of the fertilizer app. Is this accurate? If so, then it makes it tough to apply lime during the growing season since our fert apps are about 6 to 7 weeks apart.

Any input would be most appreciated.

[Uncle Albert]

Lime can release soluble nitrates from your fertilizer.. But if ph. is low the turf cant use it efficiently anyway.. Bring your ph#. up with a pulverized lime, and then a pelletized lime for a slow release effect. AS you know the recommended rate is all the soil can handle at one time but pulverized lime will leach fast and the pellet will slow release. Also try a soil conditioner like Gypsum this will help hold your ph.

[TrickyDick]

50-60#/1000sq ft is a maximum at one time. Only use pelletized or crushed limestone NOT powdered "Hydrated" lime as that will raise the pH way too fast. If you have acidic soil you should do it annually as one app will not make lasting changes. We do about 40#/1000 every year for all lawns and even then will never get a pH higher than 6ish.

[Lawn Lad]

Will lime applications affect fertlizer that was recently applied or will be applied? Is there a time frame to be avoided when applying lime?

[TrickyDick]

I can't think of a reason why that would be a problem but as someone posted above...if your pH is too low your turf isn't making very good use of the fertilizer you're putting down anyway. Gotta get the pH up and keep liming to keep it up.

[familyguy]

Continue doing your reasearch about pH though. There are quite a few weeds that thrive once the pH hits 7. A pH that is 6ish like tricky said, is about the desired range.

We just did a renovation on turf that needed pH change. We lime in the late winter early spring and this was late spring. So, to solve the issue, we topdressed with an organic compost that had a pH of 6.9. As it rains all that juicy goodness incorporates with the turf. A good immediate fix when it is not the best time for liming.

The local extension sent out a leaflet a few years backk and it said you could lime at any point during the year. I asked an old timer about that claim and he really felt liming is a late winter kinda thing so... thats what we do.

Neal, as far as that Gucci lime, it is a waste of money, in my opinion. If you lime at the right time, do it every year around the same time, you will never need that fancy crap.

[Dale Wiley]

We did a soil test on 7 acres of park turf. The usual results, high in calcium, but lowered pH and soils tructure ties up the CA.

We applied pelletized lime at the rate of 450 # to the acre. This basically gives us a lime prill every 1.5 square inches.

This is the only way you can efficently apply the lime to the turf. Bulk aplications at 2000 lbs to the acre are very impractial, and the pelletized lime will do the job over time.

I would look at the soil structure and changing that will give you WAY more benifit than liming.

[Busy Bee]

You see that soil ph affects the availability of plant nutrients such as nitrogen,phosphorus,potassium,calcium, and iron.But soil ph also has an effect on microscopic organisms like bacteria and fungi that live in the soil.There are products other than limestone that will raise the ph levels.These materials include hydrated lime,marl, wood ash and slag.In many states they have a minimum standard to ensure that lime will reduce soil acidity.But beware not all lime is the same.Your target ph is 6.5.
You will have to mix the lime into the soil for a rapid change in the ph.You can also apply lime to the surface,but because lime is only slightly soluble, it won't move very quickly into the soil.Soil that s even a few inches below the surface will stay acidic for several years.
Lime can be applied at any tme of year,but the best time to apply in in the early spring and late fall due to the amount of rainfall.If you lime in the summer months you must insure that it is watered into the soil and not blown away by the wind.
To calibrate the amount of lime to be applied,you measure out a small area aboutt 100 sq ft,then estimate the proper size of the spreader opening.Once you have adjusted the spreader opening and speed of the application to deliver the right amount of material,you can make the entire application.Calibration is essential when appling fertlizers and pesticides also.