EriCS soil test

Learn how improving your soil can lead to a better looking lawn
agn015
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Re: EriCS soil test

Post by agn015 » June 18th, 2019, 11:07 am

Walmart also carries 10-10-10. The one in Fishkill,NY is showing 19 bags in stock at $7.00/40lb.

EriCS198
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Re: EriCS soil test

Post by EriCS198 » June 18th, 2019, 11:23 am

agn015 wrote:
June 18th, 2019, 11:07 am
Walmart also carries 10-10-10. The one in Fishkill,NY is showing 19 bags in stock at $7.00/40lb.
Haha even better thanks

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Re: EriCS soil test

Post by EriCS198 » June 18th, 2019, 11:44 am

Reading further garden fertilizer nitrogen is in the form of quick release. Any concerns in applying ample nitrogen? I was scheduled for an application yesterday by my lawn care company but cancelled considering I was going to be doing my own application of some sort anyways. I currently have a bag of lesco 14 20 4 50lbs. in the shed but I don’t know if that’s enough potassium to start getting me on the right track as well.

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Re: EriCS soil test

Post by EriCS198 » June 18th, 2019, 4:31 pm

Disregard the previous post, I was able to get to the big box stores today. I purchased 10 10 10 balanced fertilizer as to Andy’s recommendations. From other posts it looks like my application rate is 10 lbs/1k square feet. As far as the mediocre OM% is it worth in applying milorganite as well throughout the rest of the season maybe alternating with the balanced fertilizer every 3 weeks? Or is there a better option to add organic material beside mulched leaves etc like peat moss? I will a dress the Boron next year,I think I have enough going at the moment.

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andy10917
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Re: EriCS soil test

Post by andy10917 » June 18th, 2019, 7:24 pm

As far as the mediocre OM% is it worth in applying milorganite as well throughout the rest of the season maybe alternating with the balanced fertilizer every 3 weeks? Or is there a better option to add organic material beside mulched leaves etc like peat moss?
While Milorganite is a useful product on lawns, its participation in lifting OM is minor. One acre of soil to a depth of 6" weighs two million lbs. So, a lift of 1% for OM involves 20,000 lbs.

Are you planning to put that quantity down?


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Re: EriCS soil test

Post by EriCS198 » June 18th, 2019, 7:35 pm

No sir! I’d rather ask Andy than not know...

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andy10917
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Re: EriCS soil test

Post by andy10917 » June 18th, 2019, 8:14 pm

You need to understand this: for the same quantity (weight), peat moss is better than mulched leaves, because it has been decomposing for thousands of years, and mulched leaves for only hours or days - the longer it has been breaking down, the more concentrated the stuff is, and closer to "final state". Humic Acid and Fulvic Acid are the final states, and they can break down no farther. But you'll pay $10 to $25 a lb for them. Mulched leaves are free.

EriCS198
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Re: EriCS soil test

Post by EriCS198 » June 18th, 2019, 8:48 pm

Thanks for the insight, this obviously is a long term process. I just was curious if yearly applications of something purchased would speed up the process somewhat and whether it was worth the investment. My time and budget will determine all of this regardless. Can you inform me on the fertilization applications as well when you get a moment? Thank you!

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andy10917
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Re: EriCS soil test

Post by andy10917 » June 18th, 2019, 8:55 pm

Thanks I was just looking into wether I could use a garden balanced fertilizer instead. HD had 10 10 10 available for 40lb bag at 13.00 bucks a bag. Don’t know what I need as far as application rates yet but hopefully this will be a cheaper route. Thanks for your patience...
Hahaha. There is no such thing as "garden fertilizer" - it's the same stuff, but isn't covered under the Phosphorus-free laws/restrictions on lawns.

10-10-10 goes down at 10 lbs/K. Half that amount for any applications July 1 - August 15th.

EriCS198
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Re: EriCS soil test

Post by EriCS198 » June 18th, 2019, 9:03 pm

Welcome to NY...

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Re: EriCS soil test

Post by EriCS198 » June 19th, 2019, 1:56 am

EriCS198 wrote:
June 18th, 2019, 9:03 pm
Welcome to NY...
Every 3 weeks?

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andy10917
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Re: EriCS soil test

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

Every three weeks FOR WHAT?

BTW, many states outside of NY have Phosphorus restrictions.

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Re: EriCS soil test

Post by EriCS198 » June 20th, 2019, 1:25 pm

andy10917 wrote:
June 19th, 2019, 7:19 pm
Every three weeks FOR WHAT?

BTW, many states outside of NY have Phosphorus restrictions.
For the applications of 10 10 10.

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andy10917
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Re: EriCS soil test

Post by andy10917 » June 20th, 2019, 7:07 pm

The frequency should be monthly.

EriCS198
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Re: EriCS soil test

Post by EriCS198 » October 13th, 2019, 8:20 pm

Heya guys, I was wondering if I should do anything in addition to my soil remediation plan now that its mid fall? I was applying 10-10-10 all purpose fertilizer every 3-4 weeks as recommended by Andy as well as a second application of fast acting gypsum. Any help is appreciated thanks!

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andy10917
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Re: EriCS soil test

Post by andy10917 » October 13th, 2019, 8:37 pm

It's always tough to decide in Fall whether to stick with the remediation plan, or substitute the Fall Nitrogen Regimens. Well, in your case the decision was made for you - with your Average First Frost Date due this week, it's too late to switch. That said, I would have recommended sticking with the remediation Plan for Year 1 anyway.

You can quit the remediation plan at the end of October, and put down the Winterizing application when the grass completely stops growing (typically around Nov 10-15 in our area). That's a single application of 2 lbs/K of Urea (1 lb/K Nitrogen) within a couple of weeks after the stoppage of growth.

EriCS198
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Re: EriCS soil test

Post by EriCS198 » October 15th, 2019, 5:22 pm

Thanks Andy!

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Re: EriCS soil test

Post by EriCS198 » April 7th, 2020, 2:17 pm

Just curious if I should continue my soil remediation as last year or perform another soil test? I’m seeing positive results in this years green up, turf seems darker in shade and more dense than the last few years. Any help would be appreciated!

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andy10917
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Re: EriCS soil test

Post by andy10917 » April 7th, 2020, 4:03 pm

That's an unanswerable question!!

You're essentially asking me to tell you whether the soil changed enough to require a new plan, without any data detailing the amount of change that occurred -- which is obviously impossible.

The best course is to do an annual soil test for 2-3 years in a row. This allows us to see whether there were differences due to sampling differences/errors that change the plan. Once we have 2-3 years of data, we can see the rate of improvement and eliminate "outlier" sampling issues. At that point, we can often slow down the testing cycle as we get to tweaking and tuning the results.

BTW, I'm really glad to hear about the progress in color and density - keep it up!!

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