John's Beach House Soil test 2022

[Simpjr]

1st time doing a soil test on this property. It's the front lawn. 1000 sqft. Grass types include KBG, TTTF, and PR. The lawn does well in the spring and fall. It struggles late June through August...lots of die off. Hoping an interpretation can help me keep it green through the summer. I plan to overseed around labor day. Looking to see what I need to do before overseeding and beyond. Note that test results say 6 inch depth but I sampled at 3-4 inch depth. Thx for the help!

[turf_toes]

Is that test from Logan’s Lab?

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=9339&sid=4e5faf7ff ... 651ebbe459

[Simpjr]

Yes it is

[andy10917]

OK, a few questions:

(1) Is this really a beach with sand and all?
(2) Is it really limited to being 1000 sq ft? (Also please fix your profile to contain "Lawn Size" and "Experience Level")
(3) do you irrigate/water the lawn? If so, how often is it watered?
(4) what are your mowing habits (height of cut, and frequency of mowing)?

[Simpjr]

(1) Is this really a beach with sand and all? Yes it is

(2) Is it really limited to being 1000 sq ft? (Also please fix your profile to contain "Lawn Size" and "Experience Level"). Yes, I just tested the front lawn.

(3) do you irrigate/water the lawn? If so, how often is it watered? No. Only what mother nature provides.

(4) what are your mowing habits (height of cut, and frequency of mowing)? I only get down on weekends. 2 1/2 inch height of cut. Once a week mow.

[andy10917]

Your soil test results are a bit surprising in some areas - the soil is better in the TEC and Organic Matter than I would expect for a beach sand area. I would have expected a TEC down around 2 and the OM to be between 1-2%...

That said, the results indicate a soil that will easily dry out in Summer heat, and without irrigation it's going to burn out as you described.

I would suggest that you apply calcitic lime at the bag rate once the grass is actively growing, and again at the end of June.

I would also apply a low-Phosphorus fertilizer at the rate on the bag 2 weeks after the Lime, and again 6 weeks later. Do not apply it in July or August. Then, apply it around Labor Day and 6 weeks later.

Since the area is rather small, get yourself a supply of peat moss, and apply it to the lawn several times this season to a depth of 1/4" - this will help hold the water and nutrients in the soil better. But without any watering, I expect that the lawn is going to continue to fade in mid-Summer. That's just how it goes with beach sand and no irrigation.

If you want to get the lawn to spring back better in the Fall, read up on the Fall Nitrogen Regimens, and follow them in Autumn.

[Simpjr]

Andy, thanks for the recommendations!

[Simpjr]

Appreciate the feedback.