Water and Lime on New Grass

Water

• Soil moisture is essential for grass seed germination. To keep the soil moist throughout seed germination, gardeners may find that they have to water their lawn two to three times a day. One way to know when to water is to look at the surface of the soil. If two-thirds of the soil is dry or lighter in color, water your grass seeds, as suggested by Lance Walheim from the National Gardening Association. Once grass emerges, gardeners must be vigilant to keep it from drying out. Keep the first 6 to 8 inches of top soil moist, as recommended by the University of Minnesota. When grass establishes, reduce your watering schedule.

Lime

• Grass cannot absorb adequate nutrients for growth when the soil is too acidic. Sowing grass seeds or sodding lawns on acidic soils results in a dead lawn. Spreading too much lime on soil or new grass to raise the pH burns up grass. Furthermore, gardeners must water their lawns after spreading lime to help the lime sink into the soil. Lime left on the grass also causes grass burning.

Amount

• Conducting a soil test gives you an idea of how much lime to use. For example, gardeners that have a soil pH between 5.0 and 5.5 must lime their new grass with 100 lbs. of limestone spread per 1,000 square feet in the fall and in the spring, according to Cornell University. Summer is the worst time to spread lime. Summer's hot temperatures and dry soil put grass at risk for burning. Avoid applying limestone to a water stressed lawn to prevent burning.

Liming the New Grass

• After applying lime, gardeners see the pH rise within a couple of months, according to North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Gardeners who have low soil pH must conduct soil pH tests throughout the year and before they add additional limestone. Obtain an accurate soil test through your local cooperative extension office. Send your local cooperative extension office one cup of soil from your lawn to receive an accurate soil analysis.