How to Apply Hydrated Lime to Lawns

Lime is a white, powdery substance made from ground limestone. It is applied to gardens and lawns that have acidic soil to make them more alkaline. Acidic lawns are those that have a pH level of less than 7.0, which is determined by a soil test. After applying the lime, it typically takes two years for it to work down to the level of the grass roots. Therefore, only apply hydrated lime every three to six years and perform a soil pH test before every application.

Hand spade
Plastic storage bag
Fertilizer spreader
Safety glasses
Dust mask

Instructions

- 1
  Dig up 1 cup of soil from the lawn using a hand spade and place it into a sealed storage bag. Send the soil sample to your county extension agency along with the required application indicating the type of grass you have. Wait until you receive the soil test report back in the mail and read it to determine how much hydrated lime to apply to the lawn.
- 2
  Wait until the fall, winter or early spring to apply the lime, since it works into the soil more easily at these times.
- 3
  Open the hopper of a fertilizer spreader and pour in half the amount of lime indicated on the test results.
- 4
  Push the fertilizer spreader to one corner of the lawn and open the hopper to begin dispensing the lime. Push the spreader across the lawn in side-by-side rows that do not overlap.
- 5
  Refill the hopper with the remaining half of the hydrated lime and position the spreader perpendicular to the first set of rows. Open the hopper and push the spreader over the lawn in side-by-side rows just as you did the first time.
- 6
  Apply 1 to 2 inches of water to the lawn immediately after applying hydrated lime to prevent the wind from blowing it away.

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