roblanderson's soil test - 2020

[roblanderson]

Here is my 2020 test, and here are links to my previous two:
Oct 2015
May 2014



About 10,000 sq ft of a bluegrass & TTTF blend. I have an irrigation system and try to water deep & infrequently as possible. Mow high, especially during the heat of the summer.

I would like to work on the micros this year again if needed.

Thanks!
Rob

[andy10917]

Ugh!! You didn't specify Ammonium Acetate testing like we discussed in 2014 and you did in 2015, did you?

[roblanderson]

Shoot, no, I did not. I think I've read somewhere else on this site that Logan Labs keeps the samples for a little while and can re-test. I will call them tomorrow.

[andy10917]

OK - that would help (a lot)

[roblanderson]

Talked to Logan Labs this morning - they are going to do the Ammonium Acetate test on my sample. I will post those results when I get them.

[roblanderson]

Logan called me today, not enough soil left to do the AA test. I'm mailing another sample off this evening.

[andy10917]

That's unusual -- how much did you send in?

[roblanderson]

About 1 cup worth is my estimate. I took 7 samples across the entire yard and submitted the 3"-4" section of each.

[TimmyG]

And now you know why Logan Labs instructs you to send in 2 cups.

[roblanderson]

Here is the new report using the Ammonium Acetate test.

[andy10917]

Your AA test shows a soil that is at the border of a very-high Loam and a Heavy soil. It is dominated by Calcium, and quite short on Potassium. This leads to a very-high pH (8.0), and it is impossible to lower it, because there is so much Calcium just waiting on the sidelines to join the party.

In the Anions, Phosphorus is also quite short.

When both Phosphorus and Potassium are short, we most often recommend a "balanced fertilizer", like 10-10-10, 19-19-19 or anything with very-similar numbers across the board. Select and purchase one of them, and post the NPK numbers for application rates and frequency (which will most likely be monthly). These are often sold as "garden fertilizer" or "all-purpose fertilizer".

Iron is somewhat low, but it doesn't matter - it isn't available to the grass plants at that pH. You can make FAS treatments if you wish to improve color, but that will require foliar applications every 3 weeks or so.

In the micro's, only Boron is short. Get Twenty Mule Team laundry soap and application as outlined in the Micronutrient Application Guide -- at 3 tablespoons/K every 60 days.

[roblanderson]

I've bought some 13-13-13 balanced fertilizer and the box of Borax that apply using Milorganite.

[andy10917]

The application rate for 13-13-13 is 7.5 lbs/K