Mikey30 - 2017 Soil Test Results

[mikey30]

My 2017 soil results are in. Thanks in advance for all of the advice. This forum has been a serious enabler of my lawn obsession.

I saw another member's format of his soil test post and wanted to follow the same format. Thanks wmforeman!

Age of Lawn: 5 Years
Type of Grass: Hybrid Bermuda (Tifway 419) in front, Hogan Par 5 TTTF/Elite KBG in back
Size of Lawn: Approx 10,000 square feet of grass (7k bermuda, 3K TTTF/KBG)
Condition of Soil: Sod placed directly over soil (no topsoil, compost or soil amendments). Been mulching leaves and have done one topdressing of compost.
Cutting of lawn: Using Honda HRX rotary and cutting at 1.25-2" for bermuda and 3-4" for TTTF/KBG. Purchased a Toro Greensmaster 1000 in the off season.
Fertilization: 3 applications/year of Pennington fast acting lime. Bermuda: Monthly Milo at 1-2x bag rate TTTF/KBG: Fall N Regimen, 1 spring Milo app.
Goals for 2017: Install irrigation system. Begin liquid iron applications. Better understand and reduce the brown bermuda effect.
Questions: Do I continue with Lime? Should I reduce Milo to 1x bag rate? Do you recommend liquid iron applications?

Below are the 2017 and 2015 results. I took 2016 off to continue working on the tips you gave me in 2015. Thanks!


2017 Soil Test Results:
https://postimg.cc/image/wy0ljpxnt/

2015 Soil Test Results:
https://postimg.cc/image/sqxozchvf/

[andy10917]

Do you want to wait for the new 2017 report format, or go with the older format?

[mikey30]

Andy, what would be your recommendation?

[andy10917]

Wait for the new report, if you can...

[mikey30]

No problem. Is there anything I need to do?

[andy10917]

Nah. I have you bookmarked for when I'm ready to go.

[MorpheusPA]

Andy, is that something that includes more refined calculations that you'll be distributing, or just a new format? I kinda like my own "here's a book, enjoy" format, personally. Make them work for it.

[MorpheusPA]

I've got this one.

Wow, this soil is now nice! Most of the changes are due to improvement and sampling differences from 2015, and the soil's in fantastic range.

Yes, the pH is, perhaps, just a touch high due to your higher calcium. That's not a problem. While the numbers show magnesium and potassium just a whisper low, I'm not particularly inclined to do much about it. If you're a stickler, I gave you some optional recommendations below--personally, I'd skip this as it's not worth bothering. Phosphorus is now on the nose perfect.

Most of the minor elements are fine. Manganese is through the roof, but that won't cause too many issues (it does compete with iron, so that can be a minor factor). Iron is OK, but feel free to apply Milorganite whenever you like to raise this.

Boron at 0.42 is the only one that's just a little off. While not the most important element, I'll always work to move your lawn into the most optimal range on everything. Me? I'd fix this. We use Milorganite as a carrier and 20 Mule Team Borax as the boron source. You can purchase 20 Mules at the grocery store in the laundry section. In a wheelbarrow or the like, dump the Milo. Spraying very, very lightly with water (I use a spray bottle like the kind people use to damp their clothes when they iron) will help the boron stick. Add the recommended amount of 20 Mule Team Borax and stir, spraying occasionally to get the stuff to stick to the Milo. Then apply over the recommended area. So if going for bag rate Milorganite (1 bag per 2,500 square feet), you'd add 10 tablespoons of 20 Mule Team Borax.

Recommendations:

April 15: Optional! Apply 1 pound of magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) per thousand square feet.

May 1: Optional! Apply 1 pound of potassium sulfate per thousand square feet.

May 15: Apply 4 tablespoons of 20 Mule Team Borax in Milorganite carrier.