Lime and Overseeding

[Orkin Yards]

i have a customer that has requested that i put some lime in his yard, and i also plan on overseeding...would it be ok to overseed then put the lime down? what exactly is the lime going to do, it was a special request and i have never done anything with it before

[Barkleymut]

Lime is used to raise soil PH. If PH is not a concern in your area then the lime is not necessary. The only way to determine if the PH is correct in this lawn is to take a soil sample. Take about 10 little samples about 3-5" deep and send them to be tested. A local Lesco or maybe your local extension could test it for about $10.00. Lime is used here in Virginia on about 90% of lawns. But in your area it may not be necessary. You can overseed and lime in the same day, but the lime takes weeks to affect the soil. Good Luck and let me know if you have any more questions on this topic.

[Orkin Yards]

how much does lime cost and what methods are best for applying it to a lawn?

[accuratelawn]

Call a local feed store. Lime is cheap, cheap. Use pellets not crushed. What a mess, I learned the hard way. Just use a broadcast spreader.

[Barkleymut]

Accurate lawn is right. Get Pelletized Lime. You will only apply the amount needed depending on the soil test results (if you get it done at lesco it will tell you how many lbs. per 1000 sq ft.) The most you would or can use per 1000 sq ft. is 50 lbs. A 50 lb. bag runs about $3.00. You apply it with a rotary spreader.

[gene gls]

When useing pellet lime you need to apply twice as much as pulverized to get same amount of lime on the ground.You also need to compare brands of pellet lime to see how fine the lime particales in the pellets are. I used a local brand two years ago and found out there was very little lime in each pellet. Pellets are clean, neat,and expensive but don't give the coverage most lawns need.

[PLS]

Well I've never heard that one before. I'll be checking into that one tomorrow. Have to put twice as much pelletized as powder? Hmmm?

[Barkleymut]

Just a little more on this topic. I bought a handheld pH meter that tells me within a few minutes what the acidity of the soil is. I have found it to be very accurate compared to lawns which I had recently taken a soil sample from. It cost me about $100 from an internet company. I think their name was Frostproof Growers, I know that they are based in Florida. The pH meter has made my life a lot easier since when I initiate a fertilizing contract I require a pH test since a lawn without the correct acidity won't even take up the fertilizer you spread. Also you don't have to swing by Lesco everytime you start a fertilizer contract. Just some food for thought.

[gene gls]

barkleymut, I seen simular meters listed in the A.M.Lenord catalog.They sound very useful if they work properley.

[PLS]

Barkleymut: Is that a Kelway or GSK meter? Sounds like the price range for one. Always wondered how good they worked. Are your soils pretty loamy or do you have any clay in that area?

[PLS]

The Extension Service Says just as I expected<br>&quot;50 lbs. of lime is 50 lbs. of lime, pellitized or powder makes no difference.&quot; <br>Pellitized has a greater volume per pound because it's round and has air spaces and powdered lime has very little air space. So a 50 lbs. bag is a 50 lbs. bag. Pellitized lime starts out as powdered lime and is then formed into pellets.<br>

[richard]

peletized or powder it is a matter of how fast it will intergrate within the soil...dolprill works fastest i use calprill because i lime twice a year

[Barkleymut]

PLS, its a kelway and we have clay soil.

[gene gls]

PLS, Buy three different brands and disalve a handful of each brand and see what you end up with for partical size of lime.Its not all equal.