BREEDERS AND GROWERS 

LIME FOR TURF SOILS 
1. Lime when applied to turf soils will: 
Correct excessive acidity. 
Improve structure of the soil. 
Increase its ability to absorb water. 
Provide calcium and magnesium. 
2. Lime should be applied only when and where a soil test shows that it is needed. 
3. The most favorable time for liming soils of established lawns is fall and early 
spring. 
4. Lime is slow in its action at best; therefore it should be applied early in spring 
or fall. 
5. It should be applied when the grass is dry. 
6. The beneficial effect of an application of lime on most soils will be evident for 
two or three years. 
7. Where a new lawn is to be made it is best to correct soil acidity as the seed 
bed is prepared. 
8. Do not apply more than 50 pounds of hydrated lime or 75 pounds of ground 
limestone per 1,000 square feet in any one season. On strongly acid soils repeated 
applications of lime should be made until the condition is corrected. 
9. For established turf, finely ground limestone is somewhat more desirable as it 
will sift down through the grass into the soil somewhat better than hydrated lime. 
It is also less likely to damage the grass plants. 
10. Fertilizers should not be applied for at least 10 days after an application of lime. 
POUNDS OF FINELY GROUND LIMESTONE AND HYDRATED LIME 
REQUIRED TO CORRECT SOIL ACIDITY 

Lime per 1,000 square feet of surface in pounds 




Light sandy Medium sandy loam | Loam and silt loam Clay loam 
Soil acidity | | ee ee ee 
expressed in Ground Ground Ground Ground 
pH* values Hydrated lime | Hydrated lime | Hydrated lime Hydrated lime 
pH 4.0 60 90 80 120 115 170 145 215 
pH 4.5 55 80 75 110 105 160 135 200 
pH 5.0 45 70 60 90 85 130 100 150 
Diis5:5 35 50 45 70 65 100 80 120 


* The pH is a figure used to indicate the relative acidity or alkalinity of a given soil. Neutral soils 
are of pH 7; acid soils are denoted by figures below the alkaline soils by those above pH 7. 
+ On some soils 25 pounds hydrated lime or 40 pounds of ground limestone per 1,000 square feet has. 
proved beneficial. 

