How to Fertilize Grapefruit Trees With Powdered Lime

Like most other citrus fruits, grapefruits grow best when the soil's pH ranges from 6 to 8. Depending on your planting soil's acidity, you may need to add a corrective fertilizer to balance the pH. Powdered limestone is a commonly used product for the reduction of acid and will work well to correct the soil surrounding your grapefruit tree.

Soil test kit
Shovel
Measuring cup

Instructions

- 1
  Check your soil's pH level using a soil test kit. These inexpensive kits can be found at any garden or home improvement store and come with instructions for use. If your soil's pH is in the 1 to 5 range, lime fertilization will be necessary.
- 2
  Make a circular outline, with at least a 2-foot radius, around the base of your grapefruit tree with the tip of a shovel.
- 3
  Turn over all the soil within the outline to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Ensure that the soil is thoroughly broken up with no visible clods.
- 4
  Sprinkle a cup of powdered limestone around the base of the grapefruit tree. Turn over the soil several more times to disperse the limestone throughout.
- 5
  Allow the limestone to penetrate into the soil overnight. Resume your normal watering schedule the following day.
- 6
  Perform a second soil test a month after fertilization. If the pH ranges from 6 to 8, the limestone has corrected the soil's high acidity. If the pH is still low, add 1 cup more of powdered limestone and disperse. Test and repeat fertilization monthly until the pH neturalizes.

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