bcpa1445's Soil Test Results 2019

Learn how improving your soil can lead to a better looking lawn
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bcpa1445
Posts: 9
Joined: May 16th, 2018, 3:49 am
Location: Nashville, TN
Grass Type: Common Bermuda
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Some Experience

bcpa1445's Soil Test Results 2019

Post by bcpa1445 » June 19th, 2019, 7:34 pm

I have 27k sq.ft. of common bermuda/yukon bermuda in Nashville, TN area. Use a rotary mower trimmed to about 1.75in weekly. No irrigation but can lay out hose/sprinkler/timers to cover whatever is necessary. Really only irrigate if I have applied something or if we haven't had rain in a long period and grass shows signs of need. Some bare areas of soil in yard get black/green slime after heavy rains. (read somewhere that spraying with peroxide and water helps?) After using last years recommendations along with a lengthy reseeding period, most of the yard is looking pretty solid. There are still several thin areas and some completely bare (either shaded or where dogs pee) spots.

My goal this year is to improve the density and fill in the bare areas. I'm also stumped at what to do in shady areas. My pre and post-emergent herbicide treatments have rid the yard of weeds, which means the shaded areas now have no weeds, or grass. I would like best practices as well as fertilizer/nitrogen recommendation please. Would prefer slower release as it is difficult for me to water in quickly.

Here is a link to last years test and recommendations for reference:
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=23926

This year (2019) results:
Image

Thank you all so much for your help, time, and consideration. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

-Bill

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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: bcpa1445's Soil Test Results 2019

Post by andy10917 » June 19th, 2019, 7:59 pm

Make sure to put a link to this thread in the Soil Test Interpretation Queue.

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: bcpa1445's Soil Test Results 2019

Post by andy10917 » June 24th, 2019, 8:31 pm

Bill:

The news is that there isn't a whole lot that you need to do!

The soil itself is at pH 6.0, which is the low end of Bermuda being happy. The OM is 3.7, which is mediocre. Any peat moss, compost, etc will help and keep the nutrients from leaching. Don't remove leaves in the Fall - mulch them into the lawn. To raise the pH to the middle of the happy zone (called the sweet spot), apply good calcitic lime (Encap/SoluCal/Mag-I-Cal/Sta-Green) at 9 lbs/K every 90 days.

The Phosphorus and Potassium are very good.

The Iron is good, and available at your pH - more good news.

In the micro's, Boron and Zinc could use a tap - are you up for that in 2019?

So, it's only the Calcium (calcitic Lime) and Nitrogen that you need. If using Urea, 2 lbs/K monthly will really help, but keep it away from the Lime apps by 2 weeks. Also, work on the OM whenever you can.

bcpa1445
Posts: 9
Joined: May 16th, 2018, 3:49 am
Location: Nashville, TN
Grass Type: Common Bermuda
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Some Experience

Re: bcpa1445's Soil Test Results 2019

Post by bcpa1445 » June 24th, 2019, 10:26 pm

I’m up for the micros!

Thank you for the recommendations.
Is the every 90 days for the lime year round or only during growing season? Also, last time around you had recommended Epsom salts with the lime, is that still needed?

What is a good OM number?

Thank you,
Bill

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: bcpa1445's Soil Test Results 2019

Post by andy10917 » June 24th, 2019, 10:35 pm

Is the every 90 days for the lime year round or only during growing season?
Does the soil freeze in your area?
Also, last time around you had recommended Epsom salts with the lime, is that still needed?
Not now - the Calcium needs to catch up to certain ratios before adding more Magnesium.
What is a good OM number?
5% or higher. An increase of 0.5% in a year takes hard work.


bcpa1445
Posts: 9
Joined: May 16th, 2018, 3:49 am
Location: Nashville, TN
Grass Type: Common Bermuda
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Some Experience

Re: bcpa1445's Soil Test Results 2019

Post by bcpa1445 » June 24th, 2019, 11:24 pm

Thank you. Yes soil can freeze for short periods from time to time.

What are your micro recommendations?

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