Lupton Soil Test - 2020

Learn how improving your soil can lead to a better looking lawn
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WIPool888
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Lupton Soil Test - 2020

Post by WIPool888 » May 11th, 2020, 1:53 pm

This is the second soil test for this lawn. Lawn size is 15k sq. ft., and is from a new construction that was seeded in Spring of 2016. The grass is a northern mix blend. Mainly what the contractor laid down, but I've overseeded with Scotts twice. In general, it's come along very nicely. Still a couple weeds and seems to heat stress easily, but it looks just as good as the sod lawn next door.

Last year, the plan I followed was alternating between a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer and milorganite every 4 weeks, and 3 applications of fast acting gypsum (May-July-September). In the fall, I applied Urea twice. Once a couple weeks before the pause, then an application in November. The grass greened up very nicely this spring as a result, to the point where I received multiple compliments from neighbors, so thank you so much for the analysis/recommendations last year! The recommendations are working great! Link to last year's results/forum discussion is here: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=24893#p332320

In general, I'll still be shooting for the "Simple" approach since I work full time and have a 6 year old to keep up with, but I know I'll be putting in some work. If something is critical to make the lawn look better, I'll make time to get it done. I don't need the most perfect lawn in the world, but would like to have the best lawn on the block. I mow at least once a week, usually more often since it grows fast. Irrigation is as needed since I don't have in ground and it's not easy to water 15k sq. ft, but will certainly setup sprinklers before anything turns brown.

Please include a nitrogen component to my plan. Thanks!! Let me know if I missed any required information!

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andy10917
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Re: Lupton Soil Test - 2020

Post by andy10917 » May 11th, 2020, 2:15 pm

Please make sure to put a Link to this thread into the Soil Test Interpretation Queue, so we don't lose it.

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andy10917
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Re: Lupton Soil Test - 2020

Post by andy10917 » May 12th, 2020, 8:41 pm

These soil tests are much easier to interpret when the member actually attaches the soil test.

Could we try that? ;-)

WIPool888
Posts: 22
Joined: August 24th, 2018, 4:52 pm
Location: Waunakee, WI (Madison)
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Re: Lupton Soil Test - 2020

Post by WIPool888 » May 12th, 2020, 11:35 pm

Sorry Andy!! Let's try this again!


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bpgreen
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Re: Lupton Soil Test - 2020

Post by bpgreen » May 13th, 2020, 12:38 am

andy10917 wrote:
May 12th, 2020, 8:41 pm
These soil tests are much easier to interpret when the member actually attaches the soil test.

Could we try that? ;-)
I right clicked the broken image and opened in a new tab and it's there. I'm not sure why it's not displaying inline.


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andy10917
Posts: 29739
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Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
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Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
Level: Advanced

Re: Lupton Soil Test - 2020

Post by andy10917 » May 13th, 2020, 9:27 pm

OK, now we've got the picture - and it paints a soil that I saw just a few days ago that I thought was one-in-a-million. Now, I've seen two of them in just a short period...

Your soil is a slightly heavy soil, which points to a soil with a larger than normal amount of clay. These are OK as long as they drain well and have no other complications.

In the cations, we find the complication. The Calcium number appears a little low and the Magnesium is very, very high. This has an effect of "tightening" the soil, which makes it seem hard and difficult to work. Combined with a large helping of clay, the issue is probably pronounced. The good news is that we probably can help it (although I'm unsure about whether the solution will be complete). More in a bit.

Potassium is low on the test, but OK on the raw numbers - that helps us solve one problem at a time.

Phosphorus is OK.

Iron is OK, but mostly unavailable at your pH level.

In the micro's, all is OK except for Boron (it's always Boron). Do you wish to work on that in 2020?

So now, back to a solution for your main problems that complicate each other. The solution is to apply Gypsum, which supplies Calcium, displaces Magnesium, and sometimes indirectly lowers pH a bit. Get a "rapid" or "fast acting" Gypsum and apply it at the heavy bag rate every 60 days. Don't buy cheap "garden gypsum".

For Nitrogen, you're in WI - the best answer for you is Milorganite at the prices that you can get - it can get Iron to the grass at your pH. Monthly, at bag rate. Consider the Fall Nitrogen Regimens when September gets here.

WIPool888
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Re: Lupton Soil Test - 2020

Post by WIPool888 » May 14th, 2020, 12:14 am

Thanks for the quick turnaround Andy! Fast-Acting Gypsum was in the plan for last year, so I'm familiar with that application. And yes, Milorganite is quite economical here, which is nice.

I would like to try to work on the Boron in 2020. I haven't worked with that in the past, so could use some direction.

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andy10917
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Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
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Re: Lupton Soil Test - 2020

Post by andy10917 » May 14th, 2020, 6:53 am

Get Twenty Mule Team Laundry Soap from the grocery, and apply at 3 tablespoons/K every 60 days, as shown in the Micronutrient Application Guide.

WIPool888
Posts: 22
Joined: August 24th, 2018, 4:52 pm
Location: Waunakee, WI (Madison)
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Re: Lupton Soil Test - 2020

Post by WIPool888 » May 14th, 2020, 11:29 am

Awesome, thanks Andy! When looking at the test from last year compared to this year, would you say the fast-acting gypsum I applied last year did what you would expect? It seems like Calcium went up and Magnesium went down (But is still crazy high), so I'd say yes, but was curious on your take. I was able to get 3 FA Gypsum applications done last year.

WIPool888
Posts: 22
Joined: August 24th, 2018, 4:52 pm
Location: Waunakee, WI (Madison)
Grass Type: Northern Mix
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Novice

Re: Lupton Soil Test - 2020

Post by WIPool888 » May 14th, 2020, 11:50 am

One other question, can the Boron and Gypsum be applied at the same time, or should there be some time between applying those two items?

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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: Lupton Soil Test - 2020

Post by andy10917 » May 14th, 2020, 3:23 pm

When looking at the test from last year compared to this year, would you say the fast-acting gypsum I applied last year did what you would expect? It seems like Calcium went up and Magnesium went down (But is still crazy high), so I'd say yes,
Yes! Exactly what I was trying to make happen. The amount of change needed is A LOT though, so this will be part of your plan for a while.
One other question, can the Boron and Gypsum be applied at the same time, or should there be some time between applying those two items?
Yes! Boron and Calcium work synergistically, and there is a ratio that is one of my targets, but I don't publish it because some people would try to achieve it all at once, and that would be a very bad mistake.

WIPool888
Posts: 22
Joined: August 24th, 2018, 4:52 pm
Location: Waunakee, WI (Madison)
Grass Type: Northern Mix
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Novice

Re: Lupton Soil Test - 2020

Post by WIPool888 » May 14th, 2020, 4:19 pm

Awesome, that all sounds great! Time to go out and source materials to apply this weekend. My yard is looking great, last year's plan really worked well! Thanks for all of your help Andy!

WIPool888
Posts: 22
Joined: August 24th, 2018, 4:52 pm
Location: Waunakee, WI (Madison)
Grass Type: Northern Mix
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Novice

Re: Lupton Soil Test - 2020

Post by WIPool888 » May 15th, 2020, 12:16 pm

I guess Boron will have to wait one more month. Everywhere is out of stock due to covid-19!

bpgreen
Posts: 3871
Joined: January 3rd, 2009, 2:28 am
Location: Utah (Wasatch Front)
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Lawn Size: 3000-5000
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Re: Lupton Soil Test - 2020

Post by bpgreen » May 15th, 2020, 11:26 pm

WIPool888 wrote:
May 15th, 2020, 12:16 pm
I guess Boron will have to wait one more month. Everywhere is out of stock due to covid-19!
https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=Borax&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

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