Lime Lawn Treatment Services That Improve Soil pH

Lime service involves applying limestone product to your grass to regulate soil acidity and bring the pH closer to optimal levels. Fairway Green provides all our customers with a free pH test in the spring and fall of each year.

Why Lime?

Soil pH is directly related to the bioavailability of soil nutrients to the grass plants that make up your lawn. Reducing soil acidity (increasing pH) to its ideal range, 6.3-6.5, improves nutrient availability and increases your turf’s response to fertilizer applications. At the ideal pH range, critical minerals such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium are the most readily available.     

In NJ and PA, we also have naturally acidic soil due to high rainfall. Alkaline elements (those that would naturally act like our lime service) leach deep into the soil or wash away.  Along with rainfall, there are other factors that will affect soil pH. Removal of grass clippings will promote acidity.  Leaves, pine needles, and other plant matter can also create more acidic soil.

In addition to increased soil nutrient availability, this is also the range at which microorganism activity starts to peak. Keeping the soil microorganisms as active as possible is critical for the breakdown of fertilizers into forms usable by plants. Lastly, microorganisms keep thatch to a minimum by aiding in decomposition.

A small change in soil pH can make a big impact on the health of you grass!

When Is The Best Time to Lime?     

Fairway Green offers lime service throughout most of the season. Lime is effective at increasing soil pH regardless of when it’s applied. We do recommend routine pH testing. For an even more in-depth soil assessment we can also send a soil sample to a specific turf lab. This way the most individualized recommendations can be made.