Starpartyguy Soil Test 2020 2nd try

Learn how improving your soil can lead to a better looking lawn
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starpartyguy
Posts: 89
Joined: September 11th, 2019, 5:40 pm
Location: Lancaster County, Pa
Grass Type: tall fescue
Lawn Size: 5000-10000
Level: Some Experience

Starpartyguy Soil Test 2020 2nd try

Post by starpartyguy » March 24th, 2020, 6:50 pm

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Soil test 2020 Central Pa. 12k lawn TTTF.

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andy10917
Posts: 29739
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 10:48 pm
Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
Grass Type: Emblem KBG (Front); Blueberry KBG Monostand (Back)
Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
Level: Advanced

Re: Starpartyguy Soil Test 2020 2nd try

Post by andy10917 » March 24th, 2020, 7:09 pm

Much better - now add a link to this thread into the Soil Test Interpretation Queue, so you have a place on line and we don't forget you

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andy10917
Posts: 29739
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 10:48 pm
Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
Grass Type: Emblem KBG (Front); Blueberry KBG Monostand (Back)
Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
Level: Advanced

Re: Starpartyguy Soil Test 2020 2nd try

Post by andy10917 » March 27th, 2020, 9:17 pm

Not too bad, but some areas to work on.

That's a soil that's slightly to the sandy side of Loam, with a mediocre OM% number. Add compost by the ton, peat moss and/or (free) mulched leaves. Lots. A solution doesn't come in a bag.

The cations aren't bad, and the resulting pH is in the sweet spot. Leave alone for now.

The Phosphorus is low - use a Starter fertilizer with a high middle NPK number for Phosphorus while applying Nitrogen all year.

Iron is good, and available at your pH level.

In the micro's, Boron is short -in the plan for 2020?

starpartyguy
Posts: 89
Joined: September 11th, 2019, 5:40 pm
Location: Lancaster County, Pa
Grass Type: tall fescue
Lawn Size: 5000-10000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Starpartyguy Soil Test 2020 2nd try

Post by starpartyguy » March 28th, 2020, 10:03 am

Thanks for the analysis. My lawn is recovering from horrible grub damage last year. I had 50% loss. In the reseeding process I had to remove a lot of dead grass to expose the soil to get seed down to soil. It’s looking much better now.

Right now we’re in a county wide lockdown so I can’t get compost, probably till May. I have a gallon+ of humic acid from Simple Solutions. I was going to use that plus some Milorganite to hold things together till businesses open.

HD has Milorganite.

I already put down Prodiamine and a 1 lb of iron sulfate (post testing). Iron application was based on fall evaluation.

For fertilizer last year I bought 2 items.

Simple Lawn Solutions 16-4-8 liquid fertilizer.
50lbs 46-0-0 urea.

I put down 2 lb/k Urea in the Fall. That leaves 25 lbs left.

Was thinking of using the liquid fertilizer first and the urea 4-6 weeks later.

There are still a fair amount of clover and wild violets around. Working on them with Tzone. And I think the nutsedge is returning. But I have sedgehammer.

We’re predicting a lot of rain over next week so anything I do has to take this into consideration.

Looks like I have a bit of work this year...

User avatar
andy10917
Posts: 29739
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 10:48 pm
Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
Grass Type: Emblem KBG (Front); Blueberry KBG Monostand (Back)
Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
Level: Advanced

Re: Starpartyguy Soil Test 2020 2nd try

Post by andy10917 » March 28th, 2020, 10:15 am

Liquid fertilizers are quick, but a flash-in-the-pan solution - I'm far from being a fan of them. And Urea will not address the Phosphorus shortage. You're looking for a Starter fertilizer with a high middle number - Urea has a Zero as the middle number, so not a solution. Regular apps of Vitamin M will help, too.

Humic Acid will help, but don't go overboard and try to solve things in one app - do it consistently at the recommended rate.


starpartyguy
Posts: 89
Joined: September 11th, 2019, 5:40 pm
Location: Lancaster County, Pa
Grass Type: tall fescue
Lawn Size: 5000-10000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Starpartyguy Soil Test 2020 2nd try

Post by starpartyguy » March 28th, 2020, 10:24 am

I can get starter fertilizer. No problem. Thanks

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