Gregt848’s 2023 soil test

[gregt848]

Good morning!
Super excited to see the results of this years test. This will be the 3rd time I’ve tested the soil at this house. The previous two years, I’ve combined the front and back into 1 test. This year I decided to do 2 separate tests for the front and back. Reason being, I notice the front is doing really well after each plan recommended and the back is doing the same or slightly worse.
The front is around 1500 sq and the back is 2400 sq. The back I believe, is in tough shape because a new septic and leeching field was installed in 2014 and the best soil wasn’t used.


Here is 2023 soil test with front and back separate results. Also, I’ve followed the last 2 years plans to a Tee as well as mulched tons of leaves and dropped organically periodically.

Thank you again for all your hard work and dedication. My lawn has come a long way and I appreciate it! I’m looking to take this soil to the next step!





Here is a link to 2022

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=27128&p=351155&hil ... 48#p351155

Link to 2021

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=26537&p=348329&hil ... 48#p348329

[MorpheusPA]

It's good you isolated the front and back; the front is within spitting distance, the back is...not. Very much not. Some of what I've been recommending is completely wrong for the back, some hasn't been enough. We're going to do some initial damage to the soil to help in the future.

One, you know that calcitic lime? We're gonna need a bigger (load of calcitic lime). Let's slap the back to get it into line this year; 5.6 is too low for a lawn to be happy. I'm going high-end again, and pushing things a little. You're also going to want the big bag of Epsom salt--probably from the big box store or landscape store, but you can certainly get it from the drugstore if there are no other options (it'll be more expensive there).

Potassium sulfate is another thing; Home Depot currently has a 40 pound box for $50, the best price I've ever seen. Note I skipped July on this one. Copper sulfate can be purchased off eBay; you should need a pound.

20 Mule Team Borax--from the grocery store. One box will cover the whole lawn with plenty left over for the laundry or scrubbing the shower or whatever. I clean the rugs with it and make perboric acid, but I'm an oddball.

Recommendations, BACK:

April: Apply 9 pounds per thousand square feet of calcitic lime. Apply 2 pounds per thousand square feet Epsom salt. Apply 3 pounds of potassium sulfate per thousand square feet.

May: Feed with any high-nitrogen fertilizer (you don't need the phosphorus here). Apply 5 tablespoons 20 Mule Team Borax to the lawn in Milorganite carrier using the Micronutrient Application Guide.

July: Apply 9 pounds per thousand square feet of calcitic lime. Apply 2 pounds per thousand square feet Epsom salt.

September: Feed with any high-nitrogen fertilizer. Apply 5 tablespoons 20 Mule Team Borax per thousand square feet and 2 tablespoons copper sulfate per thousand square feet to the lawn in Milorganite carrier using the Micronutrient Application Guide.

October: Apply 9 pounds per thousand square feet of calcitic lime. Apply 5 tablespoons 20 Mule Team Borax per thousand square feet and 2 tablespoons copper sulfate per thousand square feet to the lawn in Milorganite carrier using the Micronutrient Application Guide.

Recommendations, FRONT:

April: Apply 3 pounds per thousand square feet of calcitic lime.

May: Feed with 10-10-10. Apply 5 tablespoons 20 Mule Team Borax per thousand square feet and 2 tablespoons copper sulfate per thousand square feet to the lawn in Milorganite carrier using the Micronutrient Application Guide.

September: Feed with 10-10-10. Apply 5 tablespoons 20 Mule Team Borax per thousand square feet and 2 tablespoons copper sulfate per thousand square feet to the lawn in Milorganite carrier using the Micronutrient Application Guide.

October: Apply 2 pounds of potassium sulfate per thousand square feet. Feed with 10-10-10.

[gregt848]

Thanks Morph!
I knew the back was in far worse shape than the front. I will follow the plan you recommended! Thanks for letting me know about the Potassium sulfate, I ordered it that day. A few questions that come to mind..
Do I need to wait 2 weeks after applying the lime, to spread the epsom salt and Potassium sulfate? Those don’t need a carrier like milo right?

Also, what am I looking for in a high nitrogen fertilizer? Are there specific numbers? Any recommendations?

Thanks again for your help! Can’t wait to see these results. Every year gets better!

[MorpheusPA]

Epsom salt and potassium sulfate can go the same day as the liming if you want.

For high-N fertilizer, I'm content with any fertilizer where the first number is way higher than anything else. So 46-0-0, 27-0-5, 36-2-2, something along those lines. If it looks like 20-0-10, that's fine too. A little extra potassium (the third number) certainly won't hurt.

[gregt848]

Hey Morph! One more question for you, how many lbs per K of the high nitrogen fertilizer and the 10-10-10 should I apply? I’ve found 29-0-4 locally if that works. Hopefully laying it this week!
Thanks!!!!

[MorpheusPA]

Sorry for the delay here, work's been...irregular. At least I got an award out of it for not throwing a fit.

29-0-4 would go at about 4 pounds per thousand. 10-10-10 goes at 10 pounds per thousand.