If your soil is imbalanced, it’s most likely that it’s more acidic rather than more alkaline. But it all depends on where you live. The pH depends on a variety of factors, including whether a previous owner had a garden. If you have an oak tree in your yard, that could be a main contributing factor to overly acidic soil. Oak tree leaves are high in acid content. When they fall to the ground and decompose in the soil, over time it can up the acidity level.
If your soil is too acidic, you’ll need to add lime to neutralize the acidity. Lime is pulverized limestone, an organic material that’s mainly calcium carbonate. If your soil is too alkaline, you’ll need to add more nitrogen, a component found in fertilizers. If your soil is lacking microorganisms, then more organic matter, like peat moss, will be needed to kick-start the topsoil.
At this stage when you’re looking to completely revitalize your lawn, it’s best to leave the care to a professional. “This is past the DIY stage,” Crooks says. The amount of lime will depend on how much calibrating the soil needs. Typically the amount needs to be a certain amount of pounds per 1,000 square feet, something a professional is trained to figure out. “Don’t just get a bag of lime and put it on the grass,” Crooks says. “That doesn’t work.”
You’ll want to continue taking a soil sample yearly to make sure it’s maintaining the right levels.
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