Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Learn how improving your soil can lead to a better looking lawn
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escondidogardener2
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Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Post by escondidogardener2 » April 15th, 2020, 2:39 pm

Andy and all, thanks in advance for your valuable insight and assistance.

I have followed the soil treatment program that Andy laid out in detail last July: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=25247&p=335812#p335812.

In summary
  • Irrigation was deeply and infrequently
  • High bag rate of 15-15-15 fertilizer every 30 days
  • High bag rate of Gypsum every 60 days and no less than 2 week after fertilizing
  • Applied 1/4 of compost over entire yard in November + mulched clippings whenever possible
  • BLSC + KH twice in the last 2 months
Attached is my 2020 and 2019 results for comparison (with "other" items included this year):
Image


I accidentally ordered suggestions from Logan Labs which I can post in a follow up if it's helpful.

I will say that the annual rye grass I over-seeded with looked incredible all winter long. Here in San Diego it has been a rainy April but I expect to scalp down to the Bermuda in a couple of weeks.

My goals are to thicken the backyard existing Bermuda lawn as much as possible (it is still thin in spots) and to till and seed my front (south + west facing) front yard. I was going to sod but we have been laid off due to the global pandemic and seed is my only option.


Thanks again for any/all feedback.


Cheers,

Jayson

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Re: Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Post by escondidogardener2 » April 15th, 2020, 3:16 pm

Apologies, here are the 2019 results to compare


Image

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Re: Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Post by andy10917 » April 17th, 2020, 6:33 pm

OK. It's pretty apparent that your sampling is different from last years. The TEC is much higher, and the difference is far too large to be caused by what you added.

But it's better - that's the good news.

The soil is now showing a TEC of 12+, which is a medium loam -- more good news.

The bad news is that since the Phosphorus is adequate on this test, you need to locate the tough-to-find Sulfate of Potash (0-0-50, "SOP"). Apply it at 2 lbs/K monthly.

Keep applying the Gypsum - it's working. That's why the Magnesium is down and the pH dropped a bit. And the Sodium issue is gone too. That's good.

Iron is still short, but more available at your latest pH. Apply Ferrous Sulfate at 2 lbs/K every 6 weeks.

Nitrogen is up to you, unless you want assistance.

In the micro's, only Boron is short - up for that in 2020?

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Re: Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Post by escondidogardener2 » April 17th, 2020, 7:55 pm

Hi Andy

The only difference this year is I sampled at 4 in, last year I sampled at 6 in could that be the answer? I literally used a tape measure both times. I did 15 samples the first year and maybe eight samples this year That's the only difference I can see.

I have two large commercial landscaping supply companies near me I'll contact them on Monday. I'm absolutely up for boron or anything else you think might help.

As to nitrogen, the 15-15-15 has been great and easy for me to apply I'm a little confused if the suggestions you're making are going to replace that product and if so then I would love some help on nitrogen.

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Re: Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Post by andy10917 » April 17th, 2020, 8:51 pm

The only difference this year is I sampled at 4 in, last year I sampled at 6 in could that be the answer? I literally used a tape measure both times. I did 15 samples the first year and maybe eight samples this year That's the only difference I can see.
Yes, it matters. I thought you just mislabeled it.
I'm absolutely up for boron or anything else you think might help.
Get a box of Twenty Mule Team laundry soap from the grocery store. Apply it at 3 tablespoons/K every 60 days as outlined in the Micronutrient Application Guide.
As to nitrogen, the 15-15-15 has been great and easy for me to apply I'm a little confused if the suggestions you're making are going to replace that product and if so then I would love some help on nitrogen.
You no longer need Phosphorus, so 15-15-15 is done. You need the SOP for Potassium, and can use Urea (46-0-0) at 2 lbs/K monthly for Nitrogen


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Re: Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Post by escondidogardener2 » May 23rd, 2020, 10:05 pm

Hi Andy


Finally got everything (20 mule cleaner was the hardest..lol) and just want to make sure my plan is accurate:

Monthly
2lbs per 1k of SOP
2lbs per 1k of Urea

Every 6 weeks
Ferrous Sulfate 2lbs per 1k

Every 60 days
3 tablespoons per 1k
High bag rate pelletized Gypsum

If this is correct I have a couple of things I'm not clear on:

1)Can SOP and Urea be mixed in spreader for faster application?

2) Is 2lb per 1k Urea the maximum that my Bermuda will process (I really want to promote growth as my turf is not as thick as I would like)

3) The borox is applied through my house end sprayer. Can I apply BLSC+KH at the same time?

4) The Ferrous Sulfate is a very, very small granular. Can I use the spreader for this? 2lb per 1k is 10lb total for my lawn and that would be really hard to put into my house end sprayer. I also have a 2 gallon pump sprayer.


Thank you in advance for your help, I really appreciate it.

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Re: Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Post by andy10917 » May 24th, 2020, 6:47 am

3 tablespoons per 1k
I'm unclear about 3 tablespoons/K of what?
2) Is 2lb per 1k Urea the maximum that my Bermuda will process (I really want to promote growth as my turf is not as thick as I would like)
Urea has the potential to burn the lawn if overapplied. Don't apply more than that this time of year. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
The borox is applied through my house end sprayer. Can I apply BLSC+KH at the same time?
I don't recommend spraying Boron by hose-end sprayer at all - that makes it a foliar application, and foliar applications are at far lower numbers. Re-read the recommended application method from the Micronutrient Application Guide.
4) The Ferrous Sulfate is a very, very small granular. Can I use the spreader for this? 2lb per 1k is 10lb total for my lawn and that would be really hard to put into my house end sprayer. I also have a 2 gallon pump sprayer.
I have no idea if it will work with your spreader - you'll have to check and find out. Again, I don't think the hose end sprayer is a good idea. That's a foliar application, and not recommended.
High bag rate pelletized Gypsum
If you're using pelletized Gypsum instead of the fast-acting Gypsum, go to a 90-day schedule, not the 60-day schedule. Pelletized Gypsum takes more time to achieve the same results. 60 days is not enough time between applications.

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Re: Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Post by escondidogardener2 » May 24th, 2020, 12:27 pm

I have now read the micro-nutrient application guide and will add the boron to a "vehicle" of SOP+Urea every 60 days. My new plan is

Monthly
2lbs per 1k of SOP
2lbs per 1k of Urea

Every 6 weeks
Ferrous Sulfate 2lbs per 1k

Every 60 days
Boron 3 tablespoons per 1k
High bag rate pelletized Gypsum



This is the gypsum I have been using. I don't see the words "fast acting" but the bag rate is every 5-6 weeks. Can you advise on how often to apply?

Image


Lastly, can I apply the SOP+UREA mixed together and at the same time?

I will try to spread the Ferrous Sulfate and report back on how it worked.


Thanks Andy !

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Re: Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Post by andy10917 » May 24th, 2020, 1:08 pm

This is the gypsum I have been using.
Not the right stuff, but use up what you have.
Lastly, can I apply the SOP+UREA mixed together and at the same time?
Yes! That's what a bag of regular fertilizer would be, but we have far more Phosphorus doing it the way we do.

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Re: Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Post by escondidogardener2 » May 25th, 2020, 6:11 pm

I can take the Soil buster back to the store, if it is significantly less effective.

Fast acting gypsum has been all but impossible to fine in Southern California. I just found this at Ace Hardware for $20 a bag - what do you think?


Image

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Re: Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Post by andy10917 » May 25th, 2020, 7:59 pm

I think you need to balance the extra cost (not much) to getting the job done quicker. I know what my decision would be in that area...

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Re: Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Post by escondidogardener2 » May 26th, 2020, 12:17 pm

Ok - I'll return the soil buster and pick up some fast acting which I will keep on a 60 day application?

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Re: Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Post by escondidogardener2 » June 4th, 2020, 3:58 pm

Hi Andy -

I have 3 bags of the fast acting gypsum pictured above. Just confirming two things:

1) Application is high bag rate every 60 days.

2) Can I use this gypsum as the "vehicle" for applying the 20 mule team borax?



Thanks in advance,

J

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Re: Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Post by andy10917 » June 4th, 2020, 5:09 pm

1) What is the "heavy rate" on the bag?

2) I can't answer that - I have no idea whether it is granular/pelletized/dispersable/etc.

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Re: Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Post by TimmyG » June 5th, 2020, 12:26 am

escondidogardener2 wrote:
June 4th, 2020, 3:58 pm
2) Can I use this gypsum as the "vehicle" for applying the 20 mule team borax?
Yikes. I can barely remember what gypsum prills are like (it's been a few years), fast-acting or otherwise, but if it's anything like lime, the very last thing you want to do is to get it wet before spreading.

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Re: Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Post by escondidogardener2 » June 6th, 2020, 12:51 pm

Andy-

Bag rate is 25bs per 5k


Image



Here are the ingredients:


Image




And last, this is the pellet size (lock for scale)


Image

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Re: Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Post by andy10917 » June 6th, 2020, 1:20 pm

OK - Medium pellets. Personally, I wouldn't try to mix the Borax in with that, but you're not going to hurt anything if you do. I have no idea how to get an even distribution with pellets like that.

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Re: Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Post by escondidogardener2 » June 6th, 2020, 1:41 pm

Ok, I'll use the SOP+Urea for borax application

How does 25lb per 5k every 2 months sound for the Gypsum?

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Re: Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Post by escondidogardener2 » June 10th, 2020, 11:25 am

Applied the Gypsum without issue, the Ferous Sulfate is a sandy like powder which I had to broadcast by hand....

Should I stay on a 60 day schedule with the fast acting gypsum and is hand broadcasting the iron my best option?


Thanks Andy

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Re: Escondido Gardener Year 2 Soil Test Results

Post by andy10917 » June 10th, 2020, 7:59 pm

Should I stay on a 60 day schedule with the fast acting gypsum and is hand broadcasting the iron my best option?
I have no idea why you're asking about the Gypsum, and no answers about how to make a powder get spread evenly.

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