Acid Lawn Soil

Acidity is measured by pH. pH below 7 is acidic and above 7 is alkaline. While fine fescues prefer pH of low acidity down to 5.5 most lawn grasses prefer neutral pH between 6.5 and 7.0. Acidic soil may cause deficiency of calcium, magnesium and phosphorous in lawn grass. This will show as pale weedy lawn grass.

Soil test kits and meters are available for checking the soil pH. See McGregor's Moisture, Light and pH Meter.

Raising soil pH and improvement of soil condition can be accomplished by addition of lime to the soil. Lime has a high pH and will 'sweeten' the soil by raising the pH. Kiwicare LawnPro 7-Day-Green is 70% lime. The lime neutralises the acidic soil and helps release nutrients that the lawn grass may be deficient in. Raising the pH also helps to control acid loving weeds such as moss, hydrocotyle and shepherd's purse.

• Wait at least 2 days after mowing lawn.
• Apply LawnPro 7-Day-Green to the lawn and water in.
• Do not mow until the product has been watered in.
• LawnPro 7-Day-Green also contains nutrients that will help green and strengthen the lawn grass.
• After 2-3 months check the pH with soil pH test kit.
• Video on How to Use the LawnPro Even-Flo Spreader.
• Lime and Sulphur for Soil pH Adjustment.

After the pH has been corrected you should repair any bare patches of lawn by applying:

• LawnPro Lawn Thickener or
• LawnPro Smart Patch Mix or
• LawnPro Smart Lawn Seed
  

Acid loving weeds in lawns are controlled by applying LawnPro Prickle and Hydrocotyle and LawnPro Mossclear.

Lime should not be added to lawns unless the soil pH is below 6.0. Liming neutral to high pH lawns can lead to chlorosis, general weakening of grass plants, and eventual death.