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Casutherland - 2018 Soil Sample Results

Posted: February 27th, 2018, 12:07 pm
by Casutherland
Hey guys! Just got my results back for the new year and excited to get this 2018 season going.

Age of Lawn: 2 1/2 years old
Type of Grass: Fescue Sod / TTTF Seed
Size of Lawn: 2500 sq ft. Front is about 600, sides are about 500 each, back is about 900 sq ft.
Condition of Soil: No top soil was put down prior to laying sod. When the house was built, the builders stripped and sold all the top soil.
Cutting of lawn: I use a Honda HRX 217 and normally cut at about 3.5-4in.
Fertilization: Normally fertilize with Milorganite about 4-5 times per year, as well as starter fert in the fall.
Irrigation: Normally water 2-3 times per week at around 1 hour front, back and sides. Working on making a set up to water without moving the hoses.


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Re: Casutherland - 2018 Soil Sample Results

Posted: February 27th, 2018, 11:00 pm
by andy10917
I added the Soil Test Interpretation thread - be the first to grab a place in line...

Re: Casutherland - 2018 Soil Sample Results

Posted: February 28th, 2018, 11:39 pm
by Casutherland
Here is my test from last year.

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=21785&p=300042#p300042

Re: Casutherland - 2018 Soil Sample Results

Posted: March 4th, 2018, 10:55 am
by andy10917
I read your 2017 results/recommendations, and your new test.

While most of the ratios are fine, the new test is estimating the TEC at a little-lower 8.49 and that moves us toward a sandier estimate of the soil. That and your statement that they stole and sold the topsoil with no replacement tells me that we're estimating the ratios of a weaker soil, and while that doesn't prevent a pretty-nice lawn, it makes it a bit of a challenge to have the top-quality lawn you're targeting.

While I see plenty of time/reasons to use Urea, I prefer more-frequent twice-a-month applications of Milorganite or Soybean Meal, at 60% of the rate for monthly apps -- in the Spring/Summer. Save the Urea for after Labor Day. The broader available nutrient profile in Spring/Summer will reward you. On 2500 sq ft, the work and expense is not that bad. The steady supply of readily-available nutrients makes up (somewhat) for the soil's challenges.

I'd recommend an application of 2 lbs/K of Sulfate of Potash in May, and biweekly apps of Milorganite or SBM (or alternate them!) from greenup to June and the second half of August at 60% of bag rate that you'd normally use. Do the Fall Nitrogen Regimen.

In the micro's, get a box of Twenty Mule Team Laundry Soap and apply at 3 tablespoons/K every 60 days.

Re: Casutherland - 2018 Soil Sample Results

Posted: March 4th, 2018, 11:37 am
by Casutherland
andy10917 wrote:
March 4th, 2018, 10:55 am
I read your 2017 results/recommendations, and your new test.

While most of the ratios are fine, the new test is estimating the TEC at a little-lower 8.49 and that moves us toward a sandier estimate of the soil. That and your statement that they stole and sold the topsoil with no replacement tells me that we're estimating the ratios of a weaker soil, and while that doesn't prevent a pretty-nice lawn, it makes it a bit of a challenge to have the top-quality lawn you're targeting.

While I see plenty of time/reasons to use Urea, I prefer more-frequent twice-a-month applications of Milorganite or Soybean Meal, at 60% of the rate for monthly apps -- in the Spring/Summer. Save the Urea for after Labor Day. The broader available nutrient profile in Spring/Summer will reward you. On 2500 sq ft, the work and expense is not that bad. The steady supply of readily-available nutrients makes up (somewhat) for the soil's challenges.

I'd recommend an application of 2 lbs/K of Sulfate of Potash in May, and biweekly apps of Milorganite or SBM (or alternate them!) from greenup to June and the second half of August at 60% of bag rate that you'd normally use. Do the Fall Nitrogen Regimen.

In the micro's, get a box of Twenty Mule Team Laundry Soap and apply at 3 tablespoons/K every 60 days.
Thanks Andy for taking the time to write this up! This is very helpful. Do you know where I can purchase soybean meal from? Also I am unfamiliar with how to apply sulfate of potash without nitrogen mixed in. Is there a specific product that you recommend for this?

I am learning more and more everyday. Thank you again for your help.

Re: Casutherland - 2018 Soil Sample Results

Posted: March 4th, 2018, 11:49 am
by andy10917
Sulfate of Potash can be a little tough to locate. I know that I can locate it here in the Northeast, but I'd check the places where the farmers in your area get supplies - I use Crop Production Services ("CPS") around here.

I can get SBM at Agway stores around here, by special order. I don't know if Agway has stores in your area.

Re: Casutherland - 2018 Soil Sample Results

Posted: March 4th, 2018, 12:14 pm
by Casutherland
This is my local "farmers supply" store here in Tennessee.

http://www.ourcoop.com/productcatalog/Main/Default.aspx

Re: Casutherland - 2018 Soil Sample Results

Posted: March 4th, 2018, 12:24 pm
by andy10917
I see they have both Soybean Meal and Sulfate of Potash

Re: Casutherland - 2018 Soil Sample Results

Posted: March 10th, 2018, 11:21 am
by Casutherland
andy10917 wrote:
March 4th, 2018, 10:55 am
I read your 2017 results/recommendations, and your new test.

While most of the ratios are fine, the new test is estimating the TEC at a little-lower 8.49 and that moves us toward a sandier estimate of the soil. That and your statement that they stole and sold the topsoil with no replacement tells me that we're estimating the ratios of a weaker soil, and while that doesn't prevent a pretty-nice lawn, it makes it a bit of a challenge to have the top-quality lawn you're targeting.

While I see plenty of time/reasons to use Urea, I prefer more-frequent twice-a-month applications of Milorganite or Soybean Meal, at 60% of the rate for monthly apps -- in the Spring/Summer. Save the Urea for after Labor Day. The broader available nutrient profile in Spring/Summer will reward you. On 2500 sq ft, the work and expense is not that bad. The steady supply of readily-available nutrients makes up (somewhat) for the soil's challenges.

I'd recommend an application of 2 lbs/K of Sulfate of Potash in May, and biweekly apps of Milorganite or SBM (or alternate them!) from greenup to June and the second half of August at 60% of bag rate that you'd normally use. Do the Fall Nitrogen Regimen.

In the micro's, get a box of Twenty Mule Team Laundry Soap and apply at 3 tablespoons/K every 60 days.
Morning Andy, quick question. So you're saying I need to only do about 60% of my normal Milorganite rate per month. I normally use one bag every 2-3 months. So I just basically put out about 15-17ish pounds of my 50 pound bag bi-weekly. So roughly 30-35 pounds per month? Does the same rate apply to the soybean meal if I am alternating? The bag I purchased is about 43% crude protein.

Re: Casutherland - 2018 Soil Sample Results

Posted: March 10th, 2018, 11:40 am
by andy10917
Not really what I'm trying to say...

In a sandy soil, things don't hang around, so we force them to be available by doling them out in smaller amounts, more often. A bag of Milorganite on 2500 sq ft is the perfect rate for a single bag. What I'm trying to promote is 60% of that rate, every two weeks. It's a little more than the regular rate to offset expected leaching, and makes sure there is always some around for the grass. You'd be applying 120% of the bag rate per month.

I use Soybean Meal like a 7-0-0 fertilizer.

Re: Casutherland - 2018 Soil Sample Results

Posted: March 11th, 2018, 5:46 pm
by Casutherland
andy10917 wrote:
March 10th, 2018, 11:40 am
Not really what I'm trying to say...

In a sandy soil, things don't hang around, so we force them to be available by doling them out in smaller amounts, more often. A bag of Milorganite on 2500 sq ft is the perfect rate for a single bag. What I'm trying to promote is 60% of that rate, every two weeks. It's a little more than the regular rate to offset expected leaching, and makes sure there is always some around for the grass. You'd be applying 120% of the bag rate per month.

I use Soybean Meal like a 7-0-0 fertilizer.
Got it. So basically every 2 weeks I should use about
60 lbs of milorganite on my yard. I the images below is what I picked up per your recommendation.


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Re: Casutherland - 2018 Soil Sample Results

Posted: March 11th, 2018, 9:30 pm
by andy10917
The 0-0-60 is Muriate of Potash, not Sulfate of Potash. It's harsher on the lawn and soil, but don't return it - just don't repeat the mistake.

On the Milorganite, I'm trying to say use 60% of the total, per app. So if 36 lbs is the right amount per whole month in a single app, you should make two apps instead (once every other week) at around 21.6 lbs each, totaling 43.2 lbs over the whole month.

Re: Casutherland - 2018 Soil Sample Results

Posted: March 11th, 2018, 10:26 pm
by Casutherland
andy10917 wrote:
March 11th, 2018, 9:30 pm
The 0-0-60 is Muriate of Potash, not Sulfate of Potash. It's harsher on the lawn and soil, but don't return it - just don't repeat the mistake.

On the Milorganite, I'm trying to say use 60% of the total, per app. So if 36 lbs is the right amount per whole month in a single app, you should make two apps instead (once every other week) at around 21.6 lbs each, totaling 43.2 lbs over the whole month.
Well I told the guy at the store exactly what I wanted. Sulfate of Potash, and he brought that out...good to know though. So you are saying that I can still use it, but I am assuming just at lighter doses?

Re: Casutherland - 2018 Soil Sample Results

Posted: March 11th, 2018, 10:54 pm
by andy10917
It's not the soil-friendly product I look for, but we can figure that out when we're closer to the finish line. Just keep moving....

Re: Casutherland - 2018 Soil Sample Results

Posted: March 29th, 2018, 10:41 am
by Casutherland
andy10917 wrote:
March 11th, 2018, 10:54 pm
It's not the soil-friendly product I look for, but we can figure that out when we're closer to the finish line. Just keep moving....
Here's a few updates on the yard this spring. Put out an app of soybean meal last night before the heavy rain.


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