What it is
A 40-pound bag of pelletized agricultural lime (calcium carbonate). Pelletized form is dust-free, spreads evenly through a broadcast spreader, dissolves over several weeks.
When to use it (and when NOT to)
You probably don't need lime in DFW. Most North Texas soils are already alkaline (pH 7.5-8.0) — adding lime makes a high-pH soil even higher, which locks up iron and other micronutrients. Yellow Bermuda from high pH is a common mistake from a well-intentioned lime application.
Get a soil test first. Texas AgriLife Extension offers cheap soil tests ($10-15). Don't lime unless the test says soil pH is under 6.5.
The few DFW situations where lime is appropriate:
- Heavy oak-leaf area. Years of decomposing oak leaves can drive surface pH down. Soil test under the leaf-drop zone.
- Acidified by long-term ammonium-sulfate fertilizer. Some lawn programs use this and gradually push pH down.
- Bagged-soil-based raised beds in their second or third year, depending on the starting blend.
What lime does
Calcium carbonate raises soil pH. Higher pH improves nutrient availability for most plants (in acidic soils). It also adds calcium, which is good for some vegetables (especially tomatoes — calcium deficiency causes blossom-end rot).
What lime does NOT do:
- It doesn't kill moss (moss is a symptom of compaction and shade, not low pH).
- It doesn't green up your lawn (color comes from nitrogen and iron).
- It doesn't loosen clay soil (gypsum sometimes does, lime doesn't).
How to apply
Per soil-test recommendation. Typical app rate is 40 lbs per 1,000 sq ft (one bag), spread with a broadcast spreader, watered in. Don't exceed 50 lbs per 1,000 sq ft in any single application.
Lime takes 3-6 months to fully dissolve and shift pH. Test soil again the following spring.
Buying tips
- Spend the $15 on the soil test before buying lime. The risk of damaging the lawn with unnecessary lime is real.
- Pelletized is much easier to spread than powdered ag lime — and worth the small upcharge.
- One bag is usually plenty for residential needs. Don't stockpile.