Cheesto's 2019 soil test

[Cheesto]

Hello old friends! Did a reno in Fall 2017, looking to have my lawn be the best in the neighborhood! 10k sq feet, KBG.

[HoosierDaddy]

That pH number looks familiar.. #gottaloveindysoil

[Cheesto]

Yeah, pretty high, although I feel that the color of my lawn is still a nice dark green. Not sure what else it's affecting, but it doesn't appear to be color. I'm surprised at how low potassium is. I thought I did a decent job at applying balanced fertilizer over the past couple years, but it's still low.

[Cheesto]

Here is a link to my 2016 soil test as a reference: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=19879&p=273688&hil ... to#p273688

[andy10917]

That's a situation I see reasonably often in Indy - the soil test indicates Calcium and Magnesium very high and driving to a very-high pH. The Potassium in the soil can't hang around because the Calcium and Magnesium displace it preferentially, but the continued applications of Potassium get through until they are displaced, and long enough that the grass gets some. The end-result is that it works despite the challenges.

Stay with the program of balanced fertilizers monthly.

Applying more OM will push the soil a bit downward toward neutral, and give the Potassium something to hang onto for longer. Too many members don't concentrate enough on the OM and its effects - it's not sexy and doesn't come in a bag bragging about the miracles in the bag - but it works! If the color and health of the lawn are good, go with what continues to work.

I don't know if the Iron in Milorganite will get through at pH 8.4, but a bag to test color is worth a shot (assuming Indiana and Milorganite work out their spat). Do it in one area and compare results - the only other options at pH 8.4 are chelated Iron ($$$$$) or FAS treatments every three weeks).

In the micro's, only Boron needs work - on the plate for 2019?

Stay with the plan if you're happy with the results and the grass remains healthy. Don't argue with success!

[Cheesto]

Thanks Andy, and good to hear from you. Boron is on the table. This box of Borax will last me decades. Green up has begun and I've mowed twice. Are we in the ballpark to drop a first application of balanced fertilizer?

Too bad about Milorganite here in Indy. I'll get a balanced fertilizer that contains biosolids. I SHOULD get some compost but a second child is on the way and I have to start compromising somewhere!

[Cheesto]

Also, for years I've only dripped Milorganite every single month (a side from supplementing potassium) I've forgotten what a synthetic fertilizer schedule looks like! What months should I NOT drop synthetics? Going back to fertilizer 101, I know.

[andy10917]

July and the first half of August are the "avoid me" period.

For Boron, it's three tablespoons/K of the Borax, every 60 days. You know the drill...

[HoosierDaddy]

Cheesto, Do it Center on Allisonville has plenty of Milo.. just don't take it all

[HoosierLawnGnome]

Dammans and wanamaker feed n seed have it too