The health of the soil is crucial for maintaining healthy grass and plants. Starting with the soil ensures better grass quality. Regularly fertilizing the lawn is beneficial, but lawn care operators need to know the specific nutrients necessary to see improvement.
For instance, excessive nitrogen might not enhance the grass’s quality or growth, especially if it’s uneven across the lawn. The most effective initial step is to use a soil testing kit to identify the necessary nutrients for the lawn.
To test your soil, collect samples from various parts of then lawn using a plastic probe or baggie. Then, register the soil testing kit online and mail the dry soil sample to a turfgrass expert or local cooperative extension for analysis.
What is a soil test?
A soil test identifies the macro and micronutrients in ythe soil and assesses the nutrients needed for optimal pH levels. Based on the results, companies often recommend amendments to enhance soil quality.
These tests vary in form but generally involve collecting a soil sample in a small container or baggie for analysis, which can be mailed or delivered to a turfgrass expert.
Why use a soil test?
A soil test is a cost-effective method to determine a soil’s needs, including pH and essential nutrients, ensuring optimal performance. It prevents the unnecessary application of fertilizers, like nitrogen, by revealing existing nutrient levels, thus avoiding environmental harm from runoff.
This allows lawn care operators to make informed choices about fertilization tailored to the soil type and its specific pH, ultimately enhancing thelawn and garden’s health.
How to test soil pH
The process of submitting a soil sample depends on each organization’s requirements. Some may send you a container, while others instruct you to use your own.
Always adhere to the specific collection and submission guidelines provided. Gathering soil from various parts of your yard and mixing these into a single sample to minimize variability and provide a more representative soil analysis is advisable.
Instructions for collecting a soil sample
Step 1: Get a soil test kit
Start by collecting several soil samples in plastic probes or baggies, so make sure to have these ready. They should be thoroughly cleaned before use, so they don’t contaminate your sample.
Step 2: Collect soil samples
Choose four representative areas of the lawn or garden. Use a shovel or soil probe like the ones listed below to collect the samples. Each sample should remove soil from the top 2 to 4 inches from the soil’s surface using a shovel like the one below or soil probe.
Step 3: Clean out the soil samples
Afterward, remove any plant material, mulch or natural soil organisms like worms and drop the soil samples into a plastic bucket. Mix the samples well to make sure it’s blended.
Step 4: Fill the container
Gather the soil and fill the sample bag with about 1 pint.
Step 5: Mail the sample
Combine samples and mail them to the lab for analysis.
A national agriculture lab will test your soil with an in-depth analysis. Once the soil test is ready, easy-to-understand results and treatment recommendations will be delivered.
When is the best time to collect and submit a soil analysis?
Warm-season grass
The optimal time to collect and submit a soil sample depends on location and grass type. For warm-season grasses like zoysiagrass and bermudagrass, test soil between March 15 and April 30.
Cool-season grass
Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass should be tested between August and September.
New lawns
Test the soil before applying chemicals and before installing the new sod, seed or plugs. This allows lawn care pros to assess the soil conditions and make any necessary amendments prior to laying the new sod.
Testing the soil before installation provides valuable information about nutrient levels, pH and more. This gives professionals the chance to address any deficiencies or imbalances by adding appropriate amendments before planting anything new, giving your lawn the best environment for healthy growth.
How often should I test my soil?
- Every one to three years to maintain lawn and garden health.
- More frequently if lawn care operators notice issues such as poorly performing turfgrass or ornamentals.
- After storms or excessive rain, as flooding can alter soil salinity.
- During prolonged dry periods to check if nutrient levels have been affected.
- After major changes like construction or extensive landscaping to understand new soil conditions.
Where to take soil samples for testing
There are two main options for getting a soil test done:
1. Soil test kit from a company
Lawn care pros can purchase a soil test kit from a company like ours and mail the sample back to them.
2. Local cooperative extension office
Another option is to contact your local cooperative extension office. They can provide instructions on collecting and submitting a soil sample for testing, and the extension office typically provides the analysis and recommendations.
Whichever route you choose, carefully follow the instructions provided for collecting and submitting the soil sample to ensure accurate and helpful results.
How do I read a soil analysis?
Soil test results can vary, typically provided as a paper or digital report detailing nutrient deficiencies and abundances in your soil.
Tests may range from basic N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) assessments to more comprehensive analyses including pH, sulfur, calcium, magnesium and trace minerals like iron and zinc. The pH scale ranges from 1 (very acidic) to 14 (very alkaline), with optimal nutrient absorption between pH 6.0 and 7.0.
It’s crucial not to overapply macronutrients and to balance essential micronutrients and carbon, which are vital for maintaining soil and plant health.
Soil test results may come with product recommendations. Still, if not, you’ll need to understand how to read fertilizer labels to choose the right products for your soil. Alkaline soils typically need nutrients to make them slightly more acidic (6.0-7.0 pH range). In contrast, acidic soils need nutrients to increase alkalinity.
