GIBSON981's Soil test

[gibson981]

Received results today. Fairly discouraging.

Despite mulching a huge amount of leaves last year for the first time -- everything was mulched, no raking -- OM still decreased. We have alot of trees. There was a ton of leaves put back into the ground, especially the front.

Followed the plan from last year to the tee. One gypsum app, monthly milo, 3 apps of mag-I-cal. Two apps of 22-0-14, one in spring, one fall.

Our area had drought most of the summer. Don't have irrigation but got deep, weekly waterings in for most of the summer and lawn seemed to hold on. This spring it looks roughest I've remembered. Not sure if it was the low rainfall or strange winter.

Here are the results.




And link to last years.

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=19971&p=273800&hil ... 81#p273800

[andy10917]

I know the frustration of working with the leaves for OM and then it doesn't show up. I've been there.

Those are very low (meaning sandy) TEC numbers. Unfortunately, the leaves aren't helping yet, but they may be there but still at a shallow level. Keep pounding the leaves.

In the cations, mix calcitic lime (Solu-Cal/Mag-I-Cal/Encap) at the Heavy rate and Epsom Salts mixed in at 2 lbs/K. Apply every 90 days.

Can you still get the 22-0-14? If so, applications at 5 lbs/K should be made in May, June and late August. Then switch to the Fall Nitrogen Regimens.

All of the micronutrients are low in one area or the other (or both). Do you wish to deal with them all in 2017?

[gibson981]

Thanks for the advice Andy

22-0-14 is no longer available, but a similar 24-0-11 (Lesco) is. I'll use the 5lbs/K you recommended.

Picked up a bunch of backs of lime (50% off at Lowes!). Less frequent applications than last year, so assume I am a little less deficient -- at least some good news. 90 day interval means only 2 apps this year? Or put down in November?

I have some left over gypsum -- OK to drop it in the front to lower the sodium some more?

Would be interested in the micro's....

[andy10917]

Picked up a bunch of backs of lime (50% off at Lowes!).

Not so fast - what was the brand and/or label and application rate on the Lime?

[gibson981]

Sta-Green Rapid lime. Didn't have the 3 you mentioned. Not good?

[andy10917]

What was the recommended application rate?

[gibson981]

Back of the bag gives a chart with rate based on pH. For 5.5 - 6 they say 60lbs/5K.

[micvog]

Andy - I just bought some Sta Green Rapid Gypsum. These are re-branded Solu-Cal products.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Sta-Green-30-l ... l/50189499

[andy10917]

This is slowly degrading into a mess.

- the 22-0-14 is now 24-0-11 - the application rate is now 4 lbs/K and the amount of Potassium has fallen to 0.44 lbs/month.
- Sodium levels are normal, and don't require Gypsum
- I'm going to trust that the Lime is a real Humate/Lime product

[TimmyG]

I'm going to trust that the Lime is a real Humate/Lime product

You can. We've covered several times in the past year that the Sta-Green Rapid Lime sold at Lowe's (currently a steal at 50% off) is rebranded Solu-Cal Enhanced Calcitic Lime. All the same information and specifications are on the back label, including "2% Humic Acid from plant extracts (nutrient complexing agent)". ken-n-nancy posted a picture of the back label here.

[andy10917]

OK, thanks. I'm tracking something else that they're doing, but didn't check rebranding.