Lime

[big_country]

I have a few quick questions for you guys. First of all when is it the best time to put lime on a lawn, this time of the year or any time, before a rain or does it matter? Also what is the best weed and feed type of fertilizer, any particular brands work the best? Are you suppose to apply later in the spring when weeds are present?
Thanks

[JRAZ]

whenever you feel like it

:dizzy: ;)

[2 man crew]

I have a few quick questions for you guys. First of all when is it the best time to put lime on a lawn, this time of the year or any time, before a rain or does it matter? Also what is the best weed and feed type of fertilizer, any particular brands work the best? Are you suppose to apply later in the spring when weeds are present?
Thanks

That would be................When your licenced!

[kickin sum grass]

dont apply lime unless you need it. you can do more harm tha good. soil test!!!!

[Turf Smart]

I have a few quick questions for you guys. First of all when is it the best time to put lime on a lawn, this time of the year or any time, before a rain or does it matter? Also what is the best weed and feed type of fertilizer, any particular brands work the best? Are you suppose to apply later in the spring when weeds are present?
Thanks

BIG Country:
To answer your question, lime can be applied pretty much at any time. It is most commonly done in the fall mainly because spring is simply too busy. Before you do any liming be sure to do a soil test to get an accurate PH (acidity) reading. You may be surprised to find a high PH and a need for sulfur as opposed to lime.
As far as weed & feeds, the best granular weed & feeds are put on elite size granulars. They are the smallest that are made. For best control with granular weed & feed it needs to stick to the weed, thus the smaller particles have the best chance. Some W&F can work through the roots as well. As far as brands, try Scott's or Lesco. The best time is usually around mid May when weeds are most active. You may need to do applications throughout the season based on weed populations and the presence of summer annuals.
Hope that helps!

[big_country]

Thanks for the advise.

[big_country]

It's not for commercial use, not into to that part, but anyhow the way I take it you don't have to be licensed to apply fertilizer just other chemicals like pesticides. I might be wrong though but it doesn't affect me either way, somebody might want to clear that up for me.

[Turf Smart]

It's not for commercial use, not into to that part, but anyhow the way I take it you don't have to be licensed to apply fertilizer just other chemicals like pesticides. I might be wrong though but it doesn't affect me either way, somebody might want to clear that up for me.

I'm sure different states have their own requirements, but in NY you need a license to apply any pesticide "for hire". Fertilizer you do not need a license.
A pesticide is anything that controls. (cide=kill) If you are not licensed, I would encourage you to take the necessary steps. It is the "right way" to do it. Plus, the customers will be happier with no pests.

[2 man crew]

Also what is the best weed and feed type of fertilizer, any particular brands work the best?

This would require a license.

[timturf]

A soil test will tell you if you need sulfer, dolomitic lime, calicitic lime, or maybe nothing for the ph! Will also tell you how much to apply!

[bobbygedd]

what does sulpher do?

[Turf Smart]

what does sulpher do?

The optimum PH (acidity) level in the soil is 6.5-7.0 If you do a PH test and find that the level is below the desired, you will need to apply lime at a rate usually given by the test. If the PH is too high you would need to apply sulfur to bring it down. Unlike lime, sulfur goes down at a much lighter appplication rate. It is considered a "hot" product with burn potential. Usually a good time for application is spring or fall.

[timturf]

The optimum PH (acidity) level in the soil is 6.5-7.0 If you do a PH test and find that the level is below the desired, you will need to apply lime at a rate usually given by the test. If the PH is too high you would need to apply sulfur to bring it down. Unlike lime, sulfur goes down at a much lighter appplication rate. It is considered a "hot" product with burn potential. Usually a good time for application is spring or fall.

I think that is a bit too high, more like 6.2 to 6.5

[bobbygedd]

6.7 just right for me

[timturf]

again, he was stating the optimum, yes grass can be grown at 6.7, infact, when I was in Ill, couldn't get below 7.2, and grass grew just fine.

[big_country]

Alright I got one of those PH electronic testers and my lawn showed any where from 5.9 to 6.4. What would you recommend me to do, in Western Kentucky if that helps? Thanks

[timturf]

get a soil test and follow the recommendations! It will tell you how much to apply, and which type of lime to use!

[Turf Smart]

Alright I got one of those PH electronic testers and my lawn showed any where from 5.9 to 6.4. What would you recommend me to do, in Western Kentucky if that helps? Thanks

The following will help you with application rates. You really need to get an actual reading, however, it shouldn't give you a "range".
If PH is:
6.0-apply 20lbs/M Sandy soil, 35lbs/M Loamy soil, and 50lbs/M Clay soil
5.5-apply 45lbs/M Sandy, 75lbs/M Loamy, 100lbs/M Clay
5.0-apply 65lbs/M Sandy, 110lbs/M Loamy, 150lbs/M Clay
4.5-apply 80lbs/M Sandy, 150lbs/M Loamy, 200lbs/M Clay

These rates should get you back to an optimum level of 6.5 but you should limit single applications to 50lbs/M. Do multiple applications throughout the year if needed.
A PH test done by a lab will offer many other benefits besides PH level. Many will include P & K levels, Buffer PH, and cation exchange capacities (CEC).

[timturf]

only a soil test will tell you which lime to use!

[heritage]

Alright I got one of those PH electronic testers and my lawn showed any where from 5.9 to 6.4. What would you recommend me to do, in Western Kentucky if that helps? Thanks

Big Country,
The electronic P.H. tester is not going to give you the anwser you are looking for......Yes it will give you a P.H. reading, but it will not tell you "what is driving P.H." Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium and Sodium are all bases and can drive soil P.H. up. The fine folks here are giving you the best advise by recommending a soil test before you decide to apply the lime. The soil test will tell you which +Base (Ca,Mg,K,Na) needs to be added or displaced, by telling you the "Base Saturation Percentage". The recommendations given by the soil test lab will tell you what to use and how much to get Base Sat. % in order. When the Base Sat. % is correct, the soil P.H. will be 6.3 which would be ideal. Some food for thought for you to digest and hopefully research, so you can better understand why we add a certain lime type:

Here are some basics: P.H. Low...Ca Low, Mg O.K.,K O.K.and Na O.K....the lab will recommend Hi-Cal Lime to raise P.H. and based on soil type and C.E.C. (they know this) will suggest How much to apply.

P.H. High....Ca O.K., Mg O.K., K O.K., Na High........the lab will recommend Gypsum (calcium sulfate) at a perscribed rate.....the sulfate will displace the Na and the Ca will replace the Na and LOWER P.H.

I could go on and on, but I think I have made my point. You need to do a soil test to determine "what is driving P.H."

Let us know the results.

Pete D.