Chris's 2023 Soil Test

Learn how improving your soil can lead to a better looking lawn
Post Reply
detrotirocker99
Posts: 41
Joined: February 10th, 2016, 1:00 pm
Location: Celina, TX
Grass Type: Emerald Zoysia
Lawn Size: 1000-3000
Level: Experienced

Chris's 2023 Soil Test

Post by detrotirocker99 » March 3rd, 2023, 10:25 pm

Good evening!

This is my 8th consecutive year with a soil test. I sincerely appreciate all the guidance you've given over the years, as my lawn has become the envy of the neighborhood.

I am located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of North Texas. Our new residence is a single-family construction built in 2018. I did TWO lawn tests this year:
  • The first is for my front lawn, which is approximately 1,100 sq ft with Emerald Zoysia grass. I maintained it at 0.50" HOC with my Baroness LM56 in 2022, and plan on keeping it around the same for this growing season.
  • The second is for my shared side lawn, which is approximately 425 sq ft of Zeon Zoysia grass. It was just laid last April, and was maintained at 2-3" as it took hold. This year, it will be scalped and maintained at 0.50" HOC.
I will be scalping tomorrow at 0.35" HOC, followed by Specticle G for my pre-emergent. I water between 0.5-1.0" per week, spray Ferrous Ammonium Sulfate every two weeks, and Milorganite at the recommended amount every four weeks for the growing season (April 1 - October 1).

Depth of the sample was between 3 - 4" and done with the AA method as instructed. I am used to micros, so please feel free to suggest if those are needed as well. My only concern was that the ME and OM went down YOY.

I've also included a reference to last year's results and recommendation. viewtopic.php?f=11&t=26999&p=350328#p350328

As always, thank you for your help!

Image

Image

User avatar
andy10917
Posts: 29739
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 10:48 pm
Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
Grass Type: Emblem KBG (Front); Blueberry KBG Monostand (Back)
Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
Level: Advanced

Re: Chris's 2023 Soil Test

Post by andy10917 » March 26th, 2023, 9:59 pm

Chris:

The results are a bit weird this year, and I'd like to see you repeat last year's plan, and up the efforts in the OM area. The visible results are what I'm working toward, as the AA distorts the by-the-numbers a lot.

Let the micronutrients stay where they are for 2023.

Sorry, both tests are hard to interpret this year, and I hate to go against successful visible success...

detrotirocker99
Posts: 41
Joined: February 10th, 2016, 1:00 pm
Location: Celina, TX
Grass Type: Emerald Zoysia
Lawn Size: 1000-3000
Level: Experienced

Re: Chris's 2023 Soil Test

Post by detrotirocker99 » April 1st, 2023, 2:44 pm

Thanks, Andy. I know - I was confused by the results this year as well.

When you say up the efforts in the OM area, what should I do?

User avatar
andy10917
Posts: 29739
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 10:48 pm
Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
Grass Type: Emblem KBG (Front); Blueberry KBG Monostand (Back)
Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
Level: Advanced

Re: Chris's 2023 Soil Test

Post by andy10917 » April 1st, 2023, 4:47 pm

Here's how I see OM levels: Below 1% is Beach Sand, 1-2% is poor, 2-3% is so-so, 3-4% is OK, 4-5% is good, and >5% is great. Let's see - you have Beach Sand and you are at 0.69%% It has the nutrient-holding potential of beach sand,

Peat Moss and compost (including composted leaves) are excellent if applied at 0.25" multiple times a year. Humic Acid is excellent but requires careful reading as the actual amount of it in many products is laughingly little. I recommend and use The Andersons Humic DG, which has a good amount of Humic Acid. Apply twice a year at the heavy bag rate. It applies at much lower rates and isn't as messy.

detrotirocker99
Posts: 41
Joined: February 10th, 2016, 1:00 pm
Location: Celina, TX
Grass Type: Emerald Zoysia
Lawn Size: 1000-3000
Level: Experienced

Re: Chris's 2023 Soil Test

Post by detrotirocker99 » April 4th, 2023, 9:44 am

Thank you, Andy! I will drop a bag this weekend and a bag later this summer.


detrotirocker99
Posts: 41
Joined: February 10th, 2016, 1:00 pm
Location: Celina, TX
Grass Type: Emerald Zoysia
Lawn Size: 1000-3000
Level: Experienced

Re: Chris's 2023 Soil Test

Post by detrotirocker99 » June 10th, 2023, 9:03 pm

Hi Andy -

I'd value your thoughts if you have a moment to spare on this topic: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=27413

Something is up with my lawn this year, and I can't quite figure it out...

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests