Can I Grass Seed & Lime My Yard at the Same Time in the Fall?

Seasons

• There are two different types of grass: cool season and warm season. Cool season grass types such as rye grasses, fescues and bluegrasses are typically sown in the fall, because they can tolerate cool temperatures. Warm-season grass types such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, zoysia, centipede and Bahia are generally sown in the spring because these grass types thrive in soil temperatures between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Virginia Cooperative Extension's website. Gardeners avoid planting warm-season grass types in the fall because there is not enough time for the grass to mature to survive cold temperatures.

Soil pH

• The amount of lime if any that you apply to your lawn depends on the soil's pH. If your soil pH falls between 6.0 to 7.0, you do not have to apply lime at the time of seeding. Also, alkaline soils or a soil pH range above 7.0 should not be limed. To correct alkaline soils, gardeners must apply elemental sulfur. To check your soil's pH, dig a 4- to 6-inch hole in the yard. Follow the directions on the soil pH test.

Liming Lawns

• Gardeners can apply lime and seed at the same time in the fall to plant cool-season grass types. Depending on your current pH range, you may not be able to apply all of the lime you need to alter the range to correct range. For example, soil that has a pH of 4.9 and below should be limed four times a year with 50 pounds of lime per 1,000 square feet, according to Cornell University's website. Gardeners may have to wait to plant their grass until their soil pH is within the correct range. Soil has a range between 5.6 to 6.0 can be limed with 50 pounds of lime per 1,000 square feet at the time of seeding.

Sowing Grass Seed

• Work your lime into the first 4 inches of soil. Also, use a starter fertilizer high in phosphorous at the time of seeding. You can use a starter fertilizer with a NPK amount of 5-10-5 at a rate of 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet, as suggested by the University of California, Davis, website. Mix the limed soil and fertilizer together. Distribute your grass seed over your lawn. Water the lawn area and keep the grass seed moist to help it germinate. Retest the soil pH in the three months.