Is your lawn looking a little sad? Maybe the grass is thin, or certain patches just won’t grow right. You’ve tried watering more and maybe even different fertilizers, but still no lush green carpet. It can be frustrating when your yard doesn’t look its best, and figuring out why can feel like a mystery.
One common culprit behind a struggling lawn is soil that’s too acidic. This is where lime for your lawn comes in! But choosing the right type of lime – is it ag lime, dolomitic lime, or something else? – and knowing how much to use can be confusing. You don’t want to add too much and cause new problems. It feels like a big gamble when you’re trying to fix your green space.
Don’t worry, you are not alone in this! This guide will break down everything you need to know about lawn lime. We will explain what it does, how to test your soil, and which lime is perfect for your yard’s specific needs. By the end, you’ll feel confident in giving your lawn the boost it needs for a healthy, vibrant look.
Top Lime For Lawn Recommendations
- Adds essential elements back into the soil
- Naturally raises the pH level and helps plants to absorb food
- Works all season long
- Naturally bonds with soil to help reduce nutrient run-off and waste
- Ideal to use in any spreader
- Reduces soil acidity – “Sweetens” Soil
- Increases key nutrient availability to plant roots
- Use on lawns, flower & vegetable Gardens
- NOT a fertilizer
- FAST-ACTING SOIL pH CORRECTION LimeLight Pro uses enhanced pelletized dolomitic limestone to quickly raise low soil pH so your lawn can better absorb essential nutrients. Ideal for acidic soils that cause poor color, weak growth, and low fertilizer response.
- IMPROVES FERTILIZER EFFECTIVENESS Low pH locks up nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients. LimeLight Pro neutralizes acidity to unlock existing nutrients, helping every fertilizer application work more efficiently and deliver stronger results.
- BOOSTS MAGNESIUM FOR GREENER, HEALTHIER TURF As a dolomitic limestone, this formula supplies both calcium and magnesium. Perfect for correcting magnesium deficiencies that lead to pale color, thin turf, and slow recovery. Supports deep green color and strong root development.
- 50 LB BAG TREATS UP TO 10,000 SQ FT High-quality, clean pelletized granules spread easily with rotary or drop spreaders and break down quickly for fast soil activity. Ideal for lawns, gardens, wildlife areas, and food plots. Safe when used as directed.
- LONG-LASTING, HOMEOWNER-FRIENDLY FORMULA Designed to provide extended soil conditioning for months. Reduces soil acidity over time, improves moisture retention, supports nutrient availability, and helps create a more resilient lawn that withstands stress, heat, and foot traffic.
- Fast Acting Lime – Fast Acting Lime granules start working immediately to raise the pH of your soil, helping grass and other plants absorb nutrients more efficiently, and get your lawn back to looking its best.
- Raise Soil pH – If your soil pH is too low, plants are unable to absorb nutrients effectively. Earth Science Fast Acting Lime naturally raises soil pH to help plants absorb more food.
- Improve Color – Earth Science Fast Acting Lime will help green up your lawn and create colorful blooms! This fertilizer enhancer is long lasting and keeps working all season. Fast Acting Lime adds essential calcium back into the soil.
- People & Pet Friendly – Earth Science Fast Acting Lime is safe to use on any grass type, and safe for people and pets. Your human and furry friends can use the lawn immediately after application.
- Nutri-Bond Technology – Earth Science’s patented Nutri-Bond Technology bonds with the soil to help keep more product where you put it. Nutri-Bond is better for the environment and helps your lawn & garden get the most out of every application.
- FOR USE ON: Use Lightning Lime to help correct pH of acid soils and make fertilizers more effective. Lightning Lime helps grow greener lawns.
- CONTAINS: All-natural limestone with no fillers or additives. Pelletized for easy application
- EFFECTIVE: Ultra-fast lime, one bag equals five bags of regular lime & covers up to 5,000 sq. ft. Works in as little as 6-8 weeks
- WHEN / HOW TO USE: Apply any time the ground is not frozen; Spring, Summer, & Fall. Apply with a drop or broadcast spreader or sprinkle on the surface of the garden soil
- MADE IN THE USA: Product of the Espoma Company. The leader in natural organics since 1929
- Unlock the full potential of your soil with LimeIQ – the intelligent choice for fast-acting pH correction and long-lasting plant health.
- Powered by advanced liquid calcium carbonate, LimeIQ is a high-efficiency lime solution designed to quickly raise soil pH, neutralize acidity, and improve nutrient availability — all without the mess of traditional lime products.
- Why Choose LimeIQ? Fast-Acting Formula LimeIQ gets to work immediately, correcting acidic soil and balancing pH faster than granular lime. This means your lawn or garden starts absorbing nutrients within days, not weeks. Highly Soluble Liquid Calcium Carbonate Our ultra-fine, micronized calcium is fully suspended in liquid form for maximum soil penetration and effectiveness — ensuring even coverage and consistent results across your entire landscape. Improves Soil Health & Plant Performance
- Low soil pH locks out vital nutrients. LimeIQ opens the door, allowing your plants to absorb nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other essential elements they need to thrive. Boosts Fertilizer Efficiency
- Stop wasting money on fertilizers your plants can't absorb. By correcting pH with LimeIQ, you'll maximize the return on every nutrient you apply.
- Safe Odor Control for Chicken Coops & Stalls – Naturally reduces ammonia odors and moisture in chicken coops, barns, kennels, and animal bedding—safe for daily use.
- All-Natural Calcium Carbonate for Soil Health – Finely ground white limestone helps neutralize acidic soils, promoting stronger root systems and nutrient absorption.
- Ideal for Lawns, Gardens, and Crops – Enhances soil pH balance for lush lawns, vibrant flowers, and increased crop yields in vegetable gardens and agricultural fields.
- Versatile and Chemical-Free Soil Amendment – Non-toxic, eco-friendly lime rock dust improves soil calcium levels without harmful additives or synthetic chemicals.
- 50 lb Bulk Bag for Residential or Farm Use – Convenient, heavy-duty 50-pound bag perfect for home gardening, homesteads, large farms, or commercial landscaping.
- Improves Soil Structure
- Corrects Soil Ph
- Improves Soil Structure
Choosing the Best Lime for Your Lawn: A Buyer’s Guide
Does your lawn look a little sad? Maybe the grass is patchy or a strange color. Often, the problem isn’t just watering or mowing. The soil’s pH balance might be off. Adding lime to your soil is the fix. Lime raises the pH, making nutrients available for your grass to eat. This guide helps you pick the right lime for a greener yard.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for lawn lime, several features matter. These details help you choose the best product for your soil’s needs.
1. Type of Lime
- Agricultural Lime (Ag-Lime): This is the most common type. It breaks down slowly, offering long-term pH correction.
- Dolomitic Lime: This lime contains both calcium and magnesium. If your soil tests show a magnesium shortage, choose this one.
- Calcitic Lime: This lime only contains calcium. Use it if your soil has enough magnesium already.
2. Fineness (Particle Size)
How fast the lime works depends on how fine the particles are. Finer lime dissolves faster in the soil. This means you see results sooner. Look for products labeled as “finely ground.” Very coarse lime takes years to change the pH.
3. Neutralizing Value (NV)
The NV tells you how strong the lime is at raising pH. Higher NV means you need less product to get the same result. Most quality limes have an NV of 90% or higher. Always check the bag for this number.
Important Materials and Composition
Lawn lime is mostly made from ground-up limestone or dolomite rock. The main active ingredients are calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate.
- Calcium Carbonate: This is the primary ingredient that raises soil acidity.
- Magnesium Carbonate: This is only present in dolomitic lime. Magnesium is key for healthy green color in grass.
Some fast-acting limes might use quicklime or hydrated lime. These work very fast, but they are stronger and need careful application. For general use, stick to standard ground limestone.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of the lime directly impacts your lawn’s health.
What Improves Quality:
- High Purity: Higher percentages of calcium and magnesium carbonates mean better quality. Impurities reduce effectiveness.
- Fine Grind: As mentioned, a finer particle size helps the lime react quickly with the soil acids.
What Reduces Quality:
- Coarse Grind: Large, pebble-sized pieces sit on the surface and do very little work.
- Old or Stored Improperly: Lime should stay dry. If it gets wet and clumps together, it might not spread evenly.
User Experience and Use Cases
Applying lime is usually a yearly task, depending on your soil test results. Most people spread lime using a standard broadcast or drop spreader, just like spreading fertilizer.
When to Apply:
The best time to apply lime is usually in the fall or early spring. The soil is moist, and the lime has time to work before the peak growing season. If your grass is struggling in the summer heat, applying lime in the spring helps the grass absorb nutrients better when it needs them most.
Ease of Use:
Granulated lime is easier to spread evenly than powdered lime. Powdered lime can create dust clouds and stick to everything. Granules flow smoothly through most spreaders. Always follow the recommended application rate based on your soil test.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Lawn Lime
Q: How often should I apply lime to my lawn?
A: Most lawns need lime every three to five years. You must test your soil first to know exactly how much lime your lawn needs. Applying too much lime can be just as harmful as having soil that is too acidic.
Q: What is the ideal soil pH for grass?
A: Most common turfgrasses prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. This range is slightly acidic to neutral. Lime helps raise the pH if it drops below 6.0.
Q: Will lime kill weeds?
A: No, lime does not directly kill weeds. However, lime improves the soil so your grass grows thick and strong. Thicker grass naturally crowds out many common weeds.
Q: How long does it take for lime to work?
A: If you use finely ground lime, you might see soil pH changes within a few months. Full correction usually takes about one year. Dolomitic and coarse limes work much slower.
Q: Can I spread lime when it’s raining?
A: It is best not to apply lime during heavy rain. The rain washes the lime away before it can mix into the soil. A light dew or slightly damp soil is perfect for application.
Q: Should I use dolomitic or calcitic lime?
A: You should check your soil test results. If the test shows low magnesium, use dolomitic lime. If magnesium levels are fine, use calcitic lime.
Q: Does lime burn my lawn like fertilizer can?
A: No, lime will not burn your grass, even if you put down too much (though it is not recommended). Lime is a natural mineral, not a chemical salt like some fertilizers.
Q: What is the difference between lime and gypsum?
A: Lime raises soil pH (acidity). Gypsum (calcium sulfate) does not significantly change pH. Gypsum helps break up heavy clay soil and improve drainage.
Q: Do I need to water the lime in after spreading?
A: Yes, lightly watering the area after spreading helps move the lime particles down into the soil where they can start working. Do not flood the area, just a light sprinkle.
Q: Can I apply lime and fertilizer at the same time?
A: It is generally better to separate these applications by a few weeks. If you must apply them close together, spread the lime first, water it in, wait a week, and then apply the fertilizer.