Lime Fertilizer

When limestone is crushed it is called lime. Lime fertilizer is nothing but lime which is used as fertilizer for the proper growth of plants. Usually, limestone is mined in the form of rocks and is then crushed to different degrees of fineness. Some varieties of limestone contain high amounts of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. These two compounds are also called dolomites and they should only be added if soil analysis shows a need for magnesium.

Generally, soil becomes acidic either due to decomposition of organic matter or if fertilizers rich in nitrogen are added to it. Due to the addition of these components, hydrogen ions are produced which displaces potassium, magnesium and calcium from the soil. The acidic levels of the soil increases due to the increase of the hydrogen ions in it and as such, it becomes necessary to add lime fertilizer to decrease the acidic levels.

Addition of lime fertilizer increases the amount of calcium, a nutrient required for reducing the number of hydrogen ions which is responsible for lower soil pH value. It increases the breakdown rates of organic matter in the soil, thereby releasing nitrogen.

Lime Fertilizer Spreader
If your lawn is large, you may have to use fertilizer spreader. Spreaders are used for even distribution of fertilizer throughout your lawn. Several spreaders of different sizes are available in the market, now it's up to you which spreader to choose. It's always better to use a spreader or else you may not be able to distribute fertilizer equally throughout your lawn.

Is Lime Fertilizer Toxic
Usually lime fertilizer is not considered toxic. However, it may be harmful if inhaled and its effects are similar to inhaling any other dust particles. For application in your lawn, it is preferable to buy the fertilizer from a reputed source like a garden nursery or farm supply store. Hydrated lime fertilizer may be harmful as it takes time to penetrate the soil surface. In order to reduce the harmful effects, you need to wear a pair of gloves or long-sleeved shirt while you are applying the fertilizer. Moreover make sure that you don't take up application of the fertilizer on a windy day. Once you have applied the fertilizer, make sure to wet the lawn so that the animals don't ingest it. Watering will ensure that lime is removed from the leaves and drains to the soil, a place where it should be.

Lime Fertilizer for Lawn
Applying line is important for the proper management of lawns, especially in places where rainfall exceeds 30 inches a year. Application of lime is not that tough, you just need to use a spinner spreader or a drop spreader. You need to ensure that lime is uniformly spread over the lawn as it is insoluble and remains stagnant wherever it is applied. If you skip some area these areas would not receive the lime as they do not spread like other fertilizers.

The best time to apply lime is during fall so that lime breaks down during winter and mixes with the soil and then helps plants grow in the following season. It's not a hard and fast rule that lime has to be applied during fall, if a soil test indicates that lime is necessary, you shouldn't delay its application. Application of lime reduces acidity and helps in improving turf growth. Be cautious, if you plan to utilize urea, apply it at least three weeks in advance before the application of lime so that the urea has enough time to react with the soil. If you apply urea and lime at the same time, they interfere and neutralizes each others functioning.

Thus, lime fertilizer is an excellent source of reducing acidic levels of the soil. It is harmless and is an important ingredient to increase soil fertility. The only thing you should remember while using lime fertilizer is that it should be applied preferably during fall or whenever a soil test shows its need.