Alright, so I was tackling my sad-looking lawn the other day, and this question popped into my head: Can you lime and fertilize at the same time? I mean, why do two jobs when you can (maybe) do one, right?
So, I started digging around online, read a bunch of stuff, and got a general vibe that it might not be the best idea. But I’m the kind of guy who likes to experiment, so I decided to do a little test patch. Figured, worst case scenario, my grass looks a little worse for wear, and I learn something. No biggie.
Here’s what I actually did:
- First, I got my soil tested. Super important to know what you’re working with. Turns out, my soil was pretty acidic, hence the lime. And it was also lacking some key nutrients, so fertilizer was definitely on the agenda.
- I marked off a small section of my lawn – like a 5×5 foot area. This was my guinea pig zone.
- Then, I mixed the lime and fertilizer together in a wheelbarrow. I used a powdered lime and a granular fertilizer, figuring they’d mix easier that way. I made sure the fertilizer I used was one that wouldn’t be negatively affected by lime (I did a little research beforehand)
- I spread the mixture evenly over my test patch. I tried to be as precise as possible, using a spreader to get an even spread
- I watered it all in real good. This is key, whether you’re liming, fertilizing, or doing both.
Now, the waiting game began. I kept an eye on that test patch, compared it to the rest of the lawn, and documented what I saw.
What I Observed
Honestly? The results were… underwhelming. I didn’t see any immediate disaster. No burnt grass, no mutant weeds sprouting up. But, after a few weeks, I also didn’t see a dramatic improvement compared to the rest of my lawn. A slight improvement but nothing too noticeable.
What I learned:
- Doing both at once might not completely screw things up, but it’s probably not the most efficient way to go.
- The whole thing about lime potentially blocking nutrient absorption? I think there’s some truth to it. My test patch improved but very slowly.
- Next time, I’m going to lime first, wait a month like the internet suggests, and then fertilize. I bet I’ll see a bigger difference.
So, yeah, that’s my lime-and-fertilize experiment. Not a total failure, but definitely not a roaring success either. Just sharing my experience so you guys don’t have to waste your time like I did. Happy lawn-ing!
