Balancing your soil pH – what to do, and why it matters
Balanced soil pH is very important for a healthy lawn ecosystem. Providing the right pH can vastly improve the health of your lawn. And you know what they say – better lawn, better life!
What is a healthy soil pH?
pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. Most lawns like it to be in the 6.0 to 7.5 range for optimum performance. When the soil pH is in this balanced range, it’s as if the grass has its mouth wide open – all the nutrients you provide will be consumed, and no food will go to waste.
How do I test my soil pH?
Testing the soil’s pH may seem like some mad scientific operation, but it couldn’t be simpler. Just purchase a soil pH test kit and follow the instructions. Most kits even explain how to adjust the pH if you detect a problem.
How do I adjust the soil pH?
Adjusting the pH is easier for lighter, sandy soils than heavy clay soils. For sandy or free-draining soil, applying 150 g of liming material (one and a half adult handfuls) per square metre will raise the soil pH by 1.0. For heavy clay soils, you will require at least 250 g per square metre to raise the pH by 1.0. Super-fine lime works quickest and generally costs around $8 per bag.
Established lawns are often lacking in magnesium, so mix 50/50 lime and dolomite to get the right balance of calcium and magnesium. Dolomite is only available in one grade and costs around $8 a bag.
After applying lime or dolomite, make sure you water well to help it distribute evenly into the soil.
If your soil is alkaline, it means it has a high pH. You can increase the acidity of your soil by adding things like compost and manures, leaf litter and mulch. Iron chelates work too.