Answer #2 ·
Gardenality.com's Answer · Hi Dora - Since you're in Massachusetts, my guess is that you have a variety of bluegrass growing in your lawn? If so, this grass will grow in a pH between 6 and 8, though it prefers a neutral soil pH around 7. If your soil is acid (well below 7) then lime will help to sweeten the soil and your bluegrass will thrive better. If the pH is way off it prohibits your grass from taking up vital nutrients it needs to thrive. Lime isn't a fertilizer so you can put it down any time of year. If your soil is acid and needs adjusting, I'd suggest going with a fast-acting pelletized dolomitic lime rather than a slow-acting powdered lime.
Here's a link to an article that provides information about soil pH and how to adjust it:
http://www.gardenality.com/Articles/984/How-To-Info/Growing-Basics/What-Is-Soil-pH-And-How-To-Adjust-It/default.htmlHope this was helpful. Let us know if you need more details or have any other questions.
Brent)