We have a soil sample that tells us how much lime to add. My question is how much time does the lime need to have the desired effect in raising the pH level to improve the productivity of the green fields? Obviously, the more time the better but what do you feel the minimum time would be?

6 months to show an improvement on a soil test

It will start working immediately and if you were to put it on your yard you would start to see a difference pretty quick so i
wouldnt worry about it not helping because it does in my opinion.
I limed my yard about 6 weeks ago and i can tell a difference its the cheapest money you can spend for the best results.

Depends on if you used powder or pelletized lime. The powder works quicker, probaly around 3-5 months the pelletized works in 6 months to a year but either is a vast improvement! Be srue to take soil samples and send them off and go exactly by the recommedations for what type of food your planting.

Lime needs moisture to work so it depends on moisture and soil contact so work it into your soil.

Lime... the best money spent if you need lime!!!!!

It doesn't just magically start to work all at once in six months. You should get your full effect by 180 days but it starts the process when you add to your soil and especially if you have moisture.

There is some fast acting lime available, from Penningtons, its expensive but 1-30lb bag does 5000sq/ft. You would only need about 10 bags for an acre, it would cost about $120. It would take a whole lot more of regular pelleted lime and it would take 4-6 months to see a difference in the ph. This starts to work immediately, although i have heard it doesn't last as long. Getting the co-op to come out and spread it, is the best way. Soil type plays a huge roll in how fast lime effects ph. Sandy soil is effected the quickest, but also looses ph the quickest as well.

I had 14 tons spread yesterday. I've been trying to lime for a couple of months, but Mother Nature would not cooperate. I lightly disked the lime into the soil and expect to see an improvement in this years plots However, I expect next year to be much better!

I hand spread (shovel) bulk lime on a small pasture a few weeks ago. You can easily tell where the lime was and wasn't. The limed areas were alot greener about a week after applying.