Lawn looking a bit shabby? Perhaps it’s time for a lawn lime application

With the warmer months fast approaching, many homeowners are beginning to turn their attention to getting their yard ready for entertaining. No matter whether you’re entertaining friends for a casual BBQ or hosting a catered event, you want to ensure that your lawn is looking as beautiful as can be, and a lawn lime application can help create that lush green lawn you dream of. 

However, getting your yard summer-ready and ensuring your grass looks fantastic can be a lot of work. That is why we thought we would take a closer look at the process of adding lime to a lawn and how it can transform your grass into a lush oasis. Of course, it’s not something you need to do on your own. If you’re on the East End of Long Island, you’re in luck! The Mahoney Associates team is always on hand to help, so give us a call to talk about all your lawn care needs 631.287.7666. 

What is lime?

Before we look at how lime can benefit your lawn, we thought we should first go back to the basics and look at what exactly lime is. In its simplest form, lime is just finely ground limestone, which is a naturally occurring rock that is high in magnesium and calcium carbonate. 

When applied to your lawn, it helps to balance the pH of the soil, while also giving a range of nutritional benefits to your plants. A lawn lime application should be used when the pH of your soil becomes too acidic. Soil that is too acidic can start to restrict nutrients which creates issues with how the grass and other plants grow. 

How to know if a lime lawn application is needed?

So now you know its benefits, how do you know when you might need it? Well, the more acidic your soil is, the harder it is for your lawn to flourish and grow. That is why one of the most common signs that your soil needs lime is the appearance of lawn moss. Seeing an increase in weeds, insects, or pests could also indicate high acidity, as the low pH can prevent your insecticides from working as effectively. 

Even if you are not seeing any signs that your soil has become too acidic, it is still worthwhile testing it regularly. Regularly testing will help you to keep tabs on what is happening with your lawn and allow you to quickly remedy any issues so your grass remains in the best condition possible. 

Don’t worry if you do notice your pH levels changing, though. Your soil can change naturally over time, particularly during winter or periods of heavy rain. As rainwater passes through the ground, it tends to leach calcium away with it, which in turn increases the acidity of your soil. Thankfully, proper lawn care and irrigation can help to reduce the impact that heavy rain has on your soil. 

What’s the best time to apply lime?

While a lime lawn application can be used any time you notice that your soil is becoming too acidic, spring and fall are usually the best times. These seasons tend to have higher rainfall, which can help to break the lime down and distribute it through your soil. 

How much should you add, though? Well, that will depend on the type of soil that your home has and its current pH level. If you’re unsure of your levels, or you simply don’t have the time to be regularly testing your soil, then speak with your local landscaping professionals. They’ll always know the best way to test your soil and can give you tips and support to ensure your yard is always looking its best. 

Need help with your lawn?

If you suspect that your lawn is in need of a lime application, or you just want to guarantee that your backyard looks as beautiful as possible this summer, then Mahoney Associates is here to help you. 

Our highly experienced team can help you transform your yard, giving you your dream space to relax, unwind, and entertain. Want to find out more about how we can help you? Get in touch today!

Photo by Greta Hoffman from Pexels