aledolawn soil test 5/2017

Learn how improving your soil can lead to a better looking lawn
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aledolawn
Posts: 5
Joined: March 29th, 2017, 5:56 pm
Location: DFW
Grass Type: Bermuda
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

aledolawn soil test 5/2017

Post by aledolawn » May 19th, 2017, 4:53 pm

First time poster although I’ve lurked over the past few months. We live in Aledo, Texas which is about 20 miles west of Fort Worth. We built our house three years ago and had Tif 419 put down. We live on an acre lot and the entire property is irrigated with well water. The grass is doing well in some spots, but it struggles significantly in others. All in all, it needs some major improvement. I used a lawn service company for two years, but I decided to cancel them this year and do the work myself. I do not have access to their records to see what program they did to my lawn. Other than pre-emergent, I applied Lesco 24-0-11 to the lawn about 6 weeks ago. My goal is to have a healthy and thick lawn, and I am willing to spend several years getting there. Thanks in advance for your advice.


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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: aledolawn soil test 5/2017

Post by andy10917 » June 3rd, 2017, 10:29 am

That's a typical DFW-area calcareous soil, and there isn't much that can be done to change it to lower pH's, etc.

That doesn't mean it can't support a nice Bermuda lawn - it can.

Even with the Ammonium Acetate test suite, the Calcium just keeps announcing its presence. I don't think the TEC is really as high as the test says.

The Potassium could use a bit of a boost, but the Phosphorus is one of the lowest I've seen this year. This soil is screaming for a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 or 19-19-19. Select one and post the NPK for the frequency and app rates to use. You'll likely be on a monthly application schedule.

The Iron is in double-trouble. It's very low in a high pH soil, and also lower than the Manganese. I'd get on foliar applications of FAS with a bit of urgency, and stay there until you can raise the Iron through Milorganite or chelated Iron applications - that will be at least two years.

In the micro’s, it’s Boron, Copper and Zinc. Get Twenty Mule Team Laundry Soap (grocery), Copper Sulfate (Amazon/EBay), and Zinc Sulfate (Amazon/Ebay) and apply each at three tablespoons/K every 60 days. Read the Micronutrient Application Guide for application specifics.

aledolawn
Posts: 5
Joined: March 29th, 2017, 5:56 pm
Location: DFW
Grass Type: Bermuda
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

Re: aledolawn soil test 5/2017

Post by aledolawn » June 4th, 2017, 7:21 am

Many thanks for the info.

For the applications of FAS, how many times should I apply and at what kind of intervals? Since the temp here is already getting above 80, should I wait unti after summer or is it okay to apply in the morning and water in before the temp gets above 80?

How long should I continue the micro applications?

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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: aledolawn soil test 5/2017

Post by andy10917 » June 4th, 2017, 8:44 am

FAS is a foliar application that doesn't appreciably affect the soil. Do it as-needed to maintain color - the details for brewing it are in an article.

Micro applications are for this season only - they'll be adjusted as needed next season off of new test results.

aledolawn
Posts: 5
Joined: March 29th, 2017, 5:56 pm
Location: DFW
Grass Type: Bermuda
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

Re: aledolawn soil test 5/2017

Post by aledolawn » June 8th, 2017, 3:36 pm

Andy,

I can get 13-13-13 fert. What rate do you recommend and how often? Thanks.

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