A retarder mixture for oil and gas well cementing includes a lignosulfonate compound and at least one hydrolyzed carbohydrate. A method includes blending the retarder mixture and a cement precursor to form a cement precursor mixture and introducing water into the cement precursor mixture to form a cement mixture. The cement mixture is pumped down a well and cures to form a cement sheath containing the cement precursor and the retarder mixture.