John's Soil Test 2019
Posted: November 8th, 2019, 3:27 pm
Hello everyone. I've just begun participation with the various recommended approaches found here within the last 6 months. So, to start with, my thanks to all the contributors. This has been a great find.
Size: almost 2000 SF (front only)
Grass: St. Augustine
Location: Houston
Watering: irrigation
I have only taken over care for ~the last 3 years, which is roughly the time I had it re-sodded. This has been a problem lawn for many years (no matter whether the old or new grass). The grass stays thin and shallow. It looks pretty good through late Spring but then begins to yellow when the real heat hits, which is generally Memorial Day to early June.
I water 4X per week on an irrigation system. When I first found this forum this past summer, I attempted the limited & deep watering schedule but it was an immediate failure, so I quickly went back to the 4X/week pattern. In hindsight probably should not have dove into that in the middle of summer.
In terms of fertilization, over the years, it's has almost always been Scots Turf Builder or Green Max. This summer I switched to the programs recommended in the various pages here. I now apply organics (mainly alfalfa, but also some corn meal) every two weeks (20 pounds per 2000 -- I found this to be simple since its a half bag per treatment). I mulch everything, and have my own composter.
I also began applying KH and SC every other week (I should note I add equal parts Kelp and Fish Emulsion for the KH, mainly because I already had a gallon of Fish Emulsion. When I run out of that, I will go 100% kelp.
In Sept, I began applying Ammonium Sulfate every other week (2lbs per application). It does keep it growing. I would have gone with Urea but none of the 8 feed stores/big box stores in my area had it.
Lastly, I dropped some granualized iron down about 2 weeks before this test.
Other negative factors perhaps worth mentioning --
Houston generally has a predominant clay soil colloquially referred to as "Black Gumbo." The best description is that if you walk through some bare damp soil it will stick to your boots, walk a mile, and it will still be stuck to your boots.
I have a big oak tree (maybe 150 years old) which has a large root system, with lots of thin root runners near the surface.
Lastly, the unusually high heat & high humidity in Houston in the summer interferes with transpiration process. Which makes it tough on all plants, not just turfgrass.
The good news is that I have neighbors with beautiful St. Augustine lawns -- this encourages me because I know its possible to eventually win this battle. Also, while digging my soil samples, I found only 1 grub, so that was good. That plus the resources and knowledge I've gained here are enough to keep me going. So thanks again.
Size: almost 2000 SF (front only)
Grass: St. Augustine
Location: Houston
Watering: irrigation
I have only taken over care for ~the last 3 years, which is roughly the time I had it re-sodded. This has been a problem lawn for many years (no matter whether the old or new grass). The grass stays thin and shallow. It looks pretty good through late Spring but then begins to yellow when the real heat hits, which is generally Memorial Day to early June.
I water 4X per week on an irrigation system. When I first found this forum this past summer, I attempted the limited & deep watering schedule but it was an immediate failure, so I quickly went back to the 4X/week pattern. In hindsight probably should not have dove into that in the middle of summer.
In terms of fertilization, over the years, it's has almost always been Scots Turf Builder or Green Max. This summer I switched to the programs recommended in the various pages here. I now apply organics (mainly alfalfa, but also some corn meal) every two weeks (20 pounds per 2000 -- I found this to be simple since its a half bag per treatment). I mulch everything, and have my own composter.
I also began applying KH and SC every other week (I should note I add equal parts Kelp and Fish Emulsion for the KH, mainly because I already had a gallon of Fish Emulsion. When I run out of that, I will go 100% kelp.
In Sept, I began applying Ammonium Sulfate every other week (2lbs per application). It does keep it growing. I would have gone with Urea but none of the 8 feed stores/big box stores in my area had it.
Lastly, I dropped some granualized iron down about 2 weeks before this test.
Other negative factors perhaps worth mentioning --
Houston generally has a predominant clay soil colloquially referred to as "Black Gumbo." The best description is that if you walk through some bare damp soil it will stick to your boots, walk a mile, and it will still be stuck to your boots.
I have a big oak tree (maybe 150 years old) which has a large root system, with lots of thin root runners near the surface.
Lastly, the unusually high heat & high humidity in Houston in the summer interferes with transpiration process. Which makes it tough on all plants, not just turfgrass.
The good news is that I have neighbors with beautiful St. Augustine lawns -- this encourages me because I know its possible to eventually win this battle. Also, while digging my soil samples, I found only 1 grub, so that was good. That plus the resources and knowledge I've gained here are enough to keep me going. So thanks again.