Timbo3985's Soil Test - 2019

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Timbo3985
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Timbo3985's Soil Test - 2019

Post by Timbo3985 » March 29th, 2019, 12:35 pm

This is the first soil test for me. Moved into this house in summer of 2018 and did begin mostly weed control of the 33,000 sf Northern Mix lawn. I have irrigation which was adjusted to properly water deep and infrequent. The lawn was pretty overrun with weeds and is also covered in what I would think is a fairly large amount of moss. Some areas with poor drainage are worse than others, and the drainage will be addressed in the near future. For now though, I would like the large majority of the lawn to be more presentable.

Last fall was spent doing mostly weed control and led to the discovery of large portions of creeping bentgrass. I plan on blanket apps of Tenacity once it begins growing this spring. I was also considering a tank mix of Prodiamine at that time.

I did apply a dose of Milorganite at bag rate in late August 2018 and then stocked up on Urea for the Fall Regiment. Unfortunately I only got 1 app of Urea down at .75lb/k sf on October 6. The honey do list for the house took over for much of the fall and winter. I am however prepared to devote much more time and effort into the lawn this season. That being said, I am limiting my expectations considering the fact it is a Northern Mix lawn which doesn't seem to have been cared for very well in years prior. I will explore options moving forward (seeding/reno) depending on my results the next year or two.

I did invest in a 26 gal sprayer which I would prefer to use for as many applications as possible. I do still have approx. 200 lbs of granular Urea which was purchased in the fall, but with 33k sf I would like to use as many liquid apps as possible. A Nitrogen component for my schedule would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance for the help!



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andy10917
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Re: Timbo3985's Soil Test - 2019

Post by andy10917 » April 2nd, 2019, 8:25 pm

We have a sandbagger in our midst.

While the soil TEC is only just short of 7, the OM is great (if true). Time will tell.

The cations are producing a pH of 6.7, which is squarely in the sweet spot. You'll need Sulfate of Potash ("SOP") to bring the Potassium in line, but otherwise things are good. SOP is not easy to find, but find it and apply it at 2 lbs/K monthly.

Phosphorus is good.

Iron is pretty weak at present, so add Ferrous Sulfate at 2-3 lbs/K every 60 days.

In the micro's, only Boron needs help - is that on the table for 2019?

In the interest of being transparent, I don't like liquid fertilizers for Nitrogen. What arrives in water leaves when it rains or is irrigated. If I (at 67 years old) can apply 350 lbs of Milorganite on an acre+, you can certainly apply a little Urea once a month. That said, do what you please...

Timbo3985
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Joined: August 5th, 2018, 10:15 am
Location: Holden, MA
Grass Type: Northern Mix
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
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Re: Timbo3985's Soil Test - 2019

Post by Timbo3985 » April 2nd, 2019, 9:20 pm

I didn’t expect the soil test to come back as positively as it did. I appreciate you’re advice. Not sure what you mean by being a sandbagger though.

I will start looking for some SOP and Ferrous Sulfate and apply as prescribed. As far as the Boron goes, I might as well add it to my plan and dive right in.

I’m not opposed to using Urea as my Nitrogen source. I was thinking that it may be more cost effective using the liquid, but not a must for me. Is there a recommended amount of N/k per month?

Do you have any comments or suggestions about the moss? I could see if it was only found in the area with poor drainage, but I seem to find small patches of it in random spots throughout the lawn.

Again, thank you for all the help.

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Re: Timbo3985's Soil Test - 2019

Post by kbgfarmer » April 2nd, 2019, 9:42 pm

I think he meant that your TEC suggests that you have a sandy soil.

Timbo3985
Posts: 18
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Re: Timbo3985's Soil Test - 2019

Post by Timbo3985 » April 2nd, 2019, 9:52 pm

kbgfarmer wrote:
April 2nd, 2019, 9:42 pm
I think he meant that your TEC suggests that you have a sandy soil.
Haha well that makes more sense then.

Also, after looking into the ferrous sulfate, that may answer my moss question...


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andy10917
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Re: Timbo3985's Soil Test - 2019

Post by andy10917 » April 2nd, 2019, 9:53 pm

No, I was teasing him that he was sanbagging by posting a very good soil test result set to brag...

Timbo3985
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Re: Timbo3985's Soil Test - 2019

Post by Timbo3985 » April 2nd, 2019, 10:08 pm

andy10917 wrote:
April 2nd, 2019, 9:53 pm
No, I was teasing him that he was sanbagging by posting a very good soil test result set to brag...
Haha I wish I knew what was good and what wasn’t. Maybe I would have played it up a bit. Glad to know it tested as good as you say considering I’ve done so little since moving in.

Timbo3985
Posts: 18
Joined: August 5th, 2018, 10:15 am
Location: Holden, MA
Grass Type: Northern Mix
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Novice

Re: Timbo3985's Soil Test - 2019

Post by Timbo3985 » April 5th, 2019, 12:41 pm

andy10917 wrote:
April 2nd, 2019, 8:25 pm

In the interest of being transparent, I don't like liquid fertilizers for Nitrogen. What arrives in water leaves when it rains or is irrigated. If I (at 67 years old) can apply 350 lbs of Milorganite on an acre+, you can certainly apply a little Urea once a month. That said, do what you please...
Do you feel the same about applying SOP and Ferrous Sulfate? Like I said, trying to keep cost as reasonable as possible. I have been looking at powder forms of both but am confused about the mix rates in comparison to the typical pounds/k used when applying granular.

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andy10917
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Re: Timbo3985's Soil Test - 2019

Post by andy10917 » April 5th, 2019, 6:23 pm

All rates supplied are for granular applications. You cannot apply anywhere NEAR the amount of granular fertilizer using foliar applications - it's a small fraction, and barely affects the soil. This is a soil forum, and amounts are for adjusting soil nutrient content.

Timbo3985
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Re: Timbo3985's Soil Test - 2019

Post by Timbo3985 » April 9th, 2019, 2:07 pm

andy10917 wrote:
April 5th, 2019, 6:23 pm
All rates supplied are for granular applications. You cannot apply anywhere NEAR the amount of granular fertilizer using foliar applications - it's a small fraction, and barely affects the soil. This is a soil forum, and amounts are for adjusting soil nutrient content.
I’ve got the SOP granular stocked up and ready to go, but finding Ferrous Sulfate has proven to be the tougher task for me. The only place I’ve been able to locate it, where I got the SOP, will have to order it and it is listed as “sprayable” 30% Fe. I am waiting for the sales rep to try and find me the brand and a label so I know exactly what the product is.

I would order the granular online but I don’t even want to think about what shipping would be for ~300 pounds of it.

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andy10917
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Re: Timbo3985's Soil Test - 2019

Post by andy10917 » April 9th, 2019, 7:22 pm

See if you can find "Moss Killer Granules" and read the bag - very often it is Ferrous Sulfate (aka, Iron Sulfate). It's more pricey that way, but it won't involve shipping.

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Re: Timbo3985's Soil Test - 2019

Post by Fullheadofturf1234 » April 11th, 2019, 10:59 pm

Not trying to hijack but is the ferrous sulfate heptatryphate found on amazon acceptable?
Vs the moss out?

https://www.amazon.com/Ferrous-Sulfate- ... way&sr=8-9

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andy10917
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Re: Timbo3985's Soil Test - 2019

Post by andy10917 » April 12th, 2019, 7:04 am

That's OK but quite expensive. You need 2-3 lbs/K - and don't require lab-grade stuff.

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