If your grass is looking unhealthy or you begin to see brown, dead places in your lawn, the nutrient levels are probably too low. As it ages, a lawn can become worn out if it is not fed properly. When grass is not properly nourished, it can get "sick" and become unhealthy. Fortunately, you can fix this issue with just a few items you can find at your local landscaping or home center. Lime is one of these items and can do so much to help your lawn look healthy again. Here are some things you need to know about using lime on your lawn:

How Does Lime Benefit Grass?

Lime brings the pH balance of grass and soil back to a healthy level. As time goes on, the acidity level in soil can get too high and cause grass to become unhealthy. The lime adds the necessary alkaline properties to reset its vitality and create a more stable medium for grass to grow in. Stable and healthy soil equals stable and healthy grass.

How Much Lime Should You Add to the Lawn?

Before you begin, you first need to determine how much lime your soil needs. The best way to find this out is to have your soil tested. You can buy a testing kit, have a landscaper test it for you, or contact your local agriculture extension office to see if they offer soil testing. The results of a soil test will tell you the pH level of your soil. This lets you know just how much lime is necessary to add to your lawn. When soil is too acidic, you only need to apply a small amount of lime to the lawn. If you add too much, you risk harming your soil and grass. If you are unsure about this process, consider hiring a landscaper to do this for you.

When Is the Best Time to Add Lime to the Lawn?

Lime is fine to add at any point in the year. However, the best time is spring or fall. Make sure to aerate the lawn so the lime can get down into the soil more easily. After aeration, spread the lime on the grass using a rake or a spreader.

If you are not fully comfortable with adding lime to your lawn or are worried you may cause damage, contact your landscaper with your concerns. They will know exactly what to add to the lawn to make it green and lustrous again without you worrying about killing your grass.

For more information, contact a landscaping service near you.