When you think about lime, we won’t judge you if margaritas came to mind first. But, that’s not the type of lime we are talking about today. We are referring to a lawn care supplement that improves the acidity of your soil.
What is lime?
Lime is essentially limestone that is broken down into particles that can be absorbed into the soil. Calcitic lime is the most effective lime supplement you can use because it is much more effective than its counterpart – dolomitic lime. Plus, calcitic lime acts really fast, unlike dolomitic lime that takes up to four years to break down and get the job done.
There are several reasons why your soil’s pH may be on the acidic side. Despite the fact that Tennessee experienced a rather dry summer, we typically get a lot of rainfall during the fall. Rain increases the acidity of the soil, as does organic matter decay, like dead leaves. Also, if you use a fertilizer with high nitrogen content, the acidic levels in your soil will likely be higher. You can’t determine your soil’s pH just by looking at it. So, we recommend having it tested either by a professional lawn care company or at your local lawn and garden shop.
Now, let’s look at five reasons you should be liming your lawn
1. Balances the soil’s pH
Acidic soil can be common here in East Tennessee, especially during this time of year. The problem with acidic soil is that it robs the soil of its necessary nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that help plants and grass thrive. Maintaining the soil’s pH will keep your lawn looking healthy and lush.
2. Jazzes up your fertilizer’s performance
Adding lime to your lawn can help jazz up your fertilizer’s performance. The lime works by fueling the healthy bacteria in your soil. This, in turn, helps increase the fertilizer’s performance. For best results, however, correct your soil’s pH before fertilizing, which is most often recommended during the fall here in East Tennessee.
3. Helps control weeds
Weeds love acidic conditions. This is why you might be struggling to control the weeds in your lawn, and why your grass seeds aren’t sprouting. Altering the pH of your soil by adding lime will make growing conditions dim for those pesky weeds, and help create a healthier environment for grass to grow.
4. Manages moss growth
Just like weeds, moss prefers to grow in acidic conditions. Regularly liming your lawn can help control moss growth. While liming your lawn will not control moss that is currently growing on your lawn, it can help control future moss growth. But, if you have a moss infestation in your lawn, you may need to look into moss control treatments.
5. Preserves and protects your lawn
Besides neutralizing the pH of the soil, lime also helps provide additional defenses and protection for your lawn. It adds a significant nutrient – calcium, which is essential for a healthy lawn. It also helps maintain the color and strength of your lawn, as well as protect the grass from stress, heat, drought, and heavy foot traffic.
As you can see, liming your lawn has many benefits and can help you maintain a beautiful, healthy landscape. If you would like to learn more about how to maintain your lawn or find out how much it costs for professional lawn care services, just call Promier Landscapes today at (423) 872-2988. We provide lawn care services to homes and businesses in Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport, TN.