Caring For Southern Lawns In Fall
Stop feeding your lawn six to eight weeks before the first frost is expected and take care of any pests so your grass can enter dormancy. Remove dead leaves and stop mowing once your grass stops growing. If you need to apply lime, the fall is another ideal time. Test your lawn and apply lime as needed.
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Should I Lime My Lawn Before It Rains
You should apply lime to your lawn before a rainfall.
However, if you are expecting heavy rain in the next few days, it is best to hold off on applying lime so that the particles do not get washed away or become diluted.
Also, if you are expecting a sweltering summer, it might be wise to hold off on spreading lime as your lawn will need access to more moisture.
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Using Lime On Your Lawn Does It Really Work
Many homeowners wish they could swap their spotty lawns with the ones in the movies or TV shows. These common fantasies about having lush green backyards are consistent for homeowners all over the country. Unfortunately, growing a lawn that is the envy of your neighborhood requires ongoing work. In New Jersey, some have found success with fertilizing, mowing, aeration, and even using lime! But does this really work?
Are There Different Kinds Of Lime For Lawns
Yes, there are different kinds of limestone even though they all do the same thingwhich is to raise the soil pH. Still, you want to choose the right lime for lawns to help get the best results. While a lot of people still used powdered lime, its a very dusty product and we find it sometimes creates a mess . At Joshua Tree, we generally use a high-quality pelletized limestone.
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Should You Apply Garden Lime To New Grass
If your soil test reveals that your earth is too acidic, its safe to apply garden lime to a newly turfed lawn. Unlike iron sulphate, lime wont scorch your grass.
However, its better to give new grass a starter fertiliser dont instantly jump to the lime aisle in your garden centre. Fertilise with a good starter fertiliser and use lime four weeks later.
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Best Time To Lime A Lawn
Spring is a great time to test your soil, and you can apply lime between fall and early spring. Many gardeners prefer to lime just before the first frost in fall because the soil has all winter to absorb the lime. Dont spread lime on a dry, wilted lawn or a soggy, wet lawn. Dont lime during frosty weather.
If you havent planted grass seed yet, apply lime to the soil just before you plant. You can learn more about lime lawn treatment and the best time to lime a lawn here:
When To Apply Limestone To Your Lawn
There are many methods you can use in adding nutrients to your grass. You can try to apply limestone to your lawn. If you are trying to keep a lawn for the first time, you will have to be ready to learn by practice and to know when to apply limestone to your lawn.
One of the easiest ways to improve your landscape is to plant suitable grass around your property. A well-maintained lawn could make your home look more attractive.
Maintaining a lawn can be quite stressful especially if you are new to gardening. But it isnt the most difficult task on earth. The right practice to keep your bushes looking green and healthy is to apply a regular feed diet and water to your lawn.
If you are planning on using limestone to improve the quality of your lawn, you can read up more on how to use limestone, and when to apply limestone to your lawn.
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How To Apply Lime To A Lawn
How to spread or apply lime to your lawn depends on the size and texture you choose. Most seem to agree that the powdered form of lime is harder to handle but can be applied with something as simple as a coffee can. Or you can use a pelletized lime instead. You shouldnt use liquid lime for lawns as it wont give your soil a sufficient amount of lime for effective conditioning.
Whats the best way to spread lime on your lawn? A rotary-type spreader probably gives the best and most consistent application without much clogging or clumping. Some people say a drop-style spreader is less than ideal, but plenty of others make them work. How you apply the lime depends largely on what form of lime you buy and how much grass you have to cover.
People commonly use all types of spreaders, home-rigged tools, buckets, cans or sifters to get the lime onto the lawn. You may own a tool or be able to rig a tool that will do the job, but you can also check into renting the right equipment to apply lime or hire a contractor to do it.
The method of lime application can be as diverse as the land owners imagination. Any way you go about it, avoid spreading lime on a windy day and try to use a crisscross pattern as you work it across the yard.
Some plants in your landscape thrive in an acidic soil of 5.5 pH or less, so take care to avoid those areas when liming:
- Azaleas
- Pin oak tree
- Willow oak tree
Is My Lawn Getting What It Needs
You want to know that your lawn is getting what it needs at the right times, including lime lawn treatments. But it can certainly seem frustrating not knowing if your soil is sufficient to grow a thick, green lawn or if your efforts are being wasted because it needs a pH adjustment. This is why its important to choose a lawn care company in Central and Southern Maryland that knows our soils and can understand everything your lawn needs to thrive. You certainly have better things to do than worry about whether your lawn is getting all it needs at the right times. You just want to trust that its in the right professional hands. Thats where Natural Green Systems comes in. We have decades of experience in , and weve seen more than our fair share of Maryland soil. Were happy to take this worry off of your mind and improve your soil pH with lime applications. Give Natural Green a call today for a free quote and well bring our proven lawn care experience and create a custom plan for your Central and Southern Maryland lawn.
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Why Should I Apply Lime To My Lawn
According to the University of New Hampshire, soils in the region are naturally very acidic, with a pH range of 4.5 to 5.5. However, most lawn grasses do best in soils with a 5.8 to 7.2 pH. This ideal pH range allows natural soil ingredients and nitrogen-rich fertilizers to be adequately absorbed by the grass. The correct application of lime to an acidic lawn reestablishes pH balance and an optimal growing environment for a lawn.
Do You Need To Lime Your Lawn Grass
Do you need to lime your lawn grass? Heres a hint that may help you determine if you need lime lawn treatment: If you live in a dry, desert climate, theres a chance your soil is alkaline and you may not need to lime your lawn grass. If you live a rainy area where acid-loving plants such as rhododendrons and camellias thrive, your soil is likely acidic and may benefit from lime lawn treatment.
The only way to find out for sure is to take a soil test . Liming a lawn that doesnt need it is a waste of time and money, and liming soil that is already highly alkaline may affect soil health and result in a sickly, yellow lawn.
Test every year to be sure you arent adding too much lime. Once the proper pH is established, you will probably need to lime only once every few years.
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How Do You Use Lime Pellets For Lawn
Use lime pellets when you want to adjust your lawns acidity levels. Some areas, such as low-lying regions near bodies of water, have naturally acidic soils that can be hard on grass and other plants that grow there.
To raise the soils pH level in these areas, spread lime pellets evenly over the area and water them into the ground thoroughly after application.
For smaller areas, spread lime pellets at a rate of one pound per square foot. For larger areas, apply lime at a rate of two pounds per square foot.
Why Should I Put Lime On My Lawn
When it comes to proper lawn care, lime is critically important. Lime will ensure that your lawn has an adequate supply of calcium, and it will also ensure your soil has a balanced pH. If you have highly acidic soil, the best and also a cost-effective solution for neutralizing is liming. Lime will naturally break down in the soil over time. As this process progresses, it will trigger the rise of calcium in the soil particles. During the rise, the acidic components will be replaced. Your lawn contains hydrogen and potassium, which are both acidic, they react with the carbonates in the lime transforming them into neutral components. Once they have turned into water, carbon dioxide, and neutralized clay, they can better support the growth of healthy plants, in this instance, grass.
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What Should The Soil Ph Be
For the most part, plants prefer a pH between 5.5 and 6.5, and grasses prefer a pH between 5.8 and 7.2. Of course, a few outliers prefer a soil pH outside of these brackets, but most plants and lawns tend to flourish in these ranges. When the pH is too high or too low , your plants cant absorb the nutrients they need from the soil.
When this occurs, the plants may show signs of nutrient deficiency, such as stunted growth or pale leaves. When you add lime to the soil, the plant roots are able to absorb the nutrients they require for healthy growth.
What Insects Does Lime Kill
If your pest problems are mostly insect-related, you may be interested in finding out the insect types killed by lime. Hydrated lime will eliminate squash bugs, aphids, flea beetles, cucumber bugs, Colorado potato beetles, and all sorts of lawn-inhabiting parasites.
Theres a problem though while lime will readily kill all types of insect pests, the problem arises due to its effect on beneficial insects. With lime, beneficial insects are in danger of getting exterminated.
Lime wont discriminate and will kill both beneficial and non-beneficial insects.
This calls for a more prudent use or application of lime. If you must use this for pest control, it must be done in such a way that beneficial insects are affected in a limited way.
Consider seeking professional advice on the best times for application. If you cant seem to figure things out, look for less destructive alternative treatments.
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All Necessary Precautionary Action Must Be Adhered To
There is a strong need to consider the safety of your kids and pets.
If you have kids around, youll have to be more cautious about how the lime treatment is applied for pest control. Its safer to avoid using it altogether due to its caustic properties.
Kids are known to be very curious and may have direct contact with lime. This isnt a situation youll want to have.
Lime use for pest control is quite popular, especially among gardeners. Weve discussed what it is, how it kills pests as well as the risks attached to its use.
This gives you an idea of how best to go about its use when you need to.
Does My Lawn Need Lime
Whether or not your lawn needs lime is dependent upon its soil pH which is a measure of the acidity and alkalinity in your soil. In the Lehigh Valley, the ideal soil pH is 6.5. Anything that gets into the 5.5 or lower is an indication that your lawn definitely needs lime. In the Allentown, Bethlehem, or Easton, PA area, its common for soil to be acidic, with the pH on the low side. Lime for lawns helps to raise the pH to where it needs to be in that sweet spot of 6.5 to 7.0.
Even if you end up with the correct soil pH range, its a good idea to check this each year as the pH will have a tendency to lower over time.
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Tips For Liming Aeration And Seeding
Lime works well with aeration and seedingcombining liming and aeration can give you a head start in the spring, creating a perfect environment for new seeds. Here are some things that can help you get started:
- Use this rule of thumblime should be applied at a rate of 40 pounds per 1000 square feet.
- Apply lime to your yard at the same time you are sowing new seeds.
- Make sure to seed at the recommended rate and to keep the grass seed moist and water daily to keep the grass seed from drying out.
- We recommend double aerate at cross angles, pulling plugs that are around 3-4 in length.
- Afterward, leave the plugs alone so they will break apart, and do not collect the lawn clippings.
- Avoid using spiked shoes for aeration. The spike will compact the soil even further.
Lawn Grass Is Overrun With Wild Plants Or Weeds
Excessive growth of weed or wild plants can be a sign of a poor and unhealthy lawn. Weed grows when grass or soil is in a weakened state. You must pay close attention to the type of wild plants growing in your lawn. This is one way to understand the problem or reason that is causing them.
Take a look at the list on the common weeds that indicate your lawn may need lime treatment:
- Sorrel
- Stinging nettles
- Wild strawberries
Most of these weeds thrive in soil with high acidity. If you find these weeds in the lawn, there is a high chance it needs lime treatment.
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Summing Up: Do You Need Lime Treatment For Lawn
In a nutshell, lime treatment is the best way to keep your lawn looking green, thick and gorgeous all year round. However, you must determine the PH level before liming the grass as it may directly impact the growth.
The best time to treat your lawn with lime is between spring and fall. You must wait for at least one season to see the results. Remember that lime may take months to improve the pH levels of soil. You may use products like pH testing tools and the best lime formula to ensure your lawn gets the essential nutrients it needs for health, lush and beautiful growth.
Thus, the article includes useful tips and details about the best lime treatment for lawn.
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