Soil that is too acidic — below pH 6.0 for most vegetables and lawns — doesn't fail directly. It fails because low pH makes nutrients unavailable. A soil with plenty of phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium can behave as though it has none of those nutrients if the pH is 5.0. The solution is raising pH to the range where nutrients become accessible.
Lime is the standard tool for raising soil pH. Used correctly, it's straightforward and inexpensive. The common mistakes are using the wrong type for the situation, applying too little to have an effect, and expecting overnight results.
