How to Lawn Soil Testing and Fixing Problems

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Lawn Soil Testing and Fixing Problems

Lawn soil testing is an important part of proper lawn care.  Doc explains that when looking at results we should focus on large imbalances and your PH levels.  Most lawns can be adjusted easily once you understand the lawn soil test.  See Links Below 

Lawn PH

This should always be the first thing you look at on a soil test.  If you have low pH add lime.  If you have high pH, odds are high that drainage is your issue, so add tile and consider adding elemental sulfur. 

PH stands for potential hydrogen. It refers to the excessive amount of hydrogen ions that block exchange sites in the soil and prevent minerals and nutrients from being absorbed by the grass.

The pH level of the soil is vital to growing lush, green lawns. On a scale of 1 to 14, a pH of 1 is very acidic and a pH of 14 is very alkaline (or basic), while a pH reading of 7 is neutral. Lawns grow best in a soil that is slightly acidic to neutral (between 6.2 and a 7.0 on the pH scale).

Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)

This measures the holding capacity of your soil.  The higher the number, the more water, nutrients, and pesticides your soil can hold.  Here’s a simple thing we use CEC for: nitrogen capacity.  Simply multiply 10 times your CEC.  That will tell you roughly how much nitrogen your soil can hold at any one time.  Let’s say your CEC is 15.  That means your soil can hold about 150 pounds of N.

→ CLEMSON SOIL TEST SHEET

Soil Probe Doc Shows

Soil Sample Bags – Pack of 50

PH Meter Doc Uses

→ PH METER DOC USES

No Spam… Just Notifications of New Posts

YouTube does NOT send out notifications well. This will. 

The Bermuda Lawn Guide

bermuda lawn guide

Super Juice Lawn Supplement and Bio-Stimulant

Lawn Hose End Spray Bottles

WARNING: Use only the 20:1 ratio bottles and do not pay more than $19 for TWO bottles.  When out of stock, others will charge up to $40 if out of stock. Simply wait until they come back in stock from Andersons. 

Microbe and Good Fungus Booster

Flower and Veggie Garden Compost Booster

DirtBooster helps you make super compost in only a few days. 

HUMICHAR…  
Should be applied to ALL LAWNS and can be applied as heavy and as often as you like.  It contains NOTHING that can hurt your lawn and is 50/50 mix of biochar and humic acid. 

PGF Complete 16-4-8 Lawn Fertilizer

This is the main fertilizer for ALL lawns during the growing season.  Warm season and cool season lawns. 

PGF Balance 10-10-10 

A professional grade 10-10-10 with tiny particles, micro nutrients, and iron. 

Granular Pre-Emergent in DG Particles

Spring Lawn Fertilizers

PGF Complete website to pick the right fertilizer. 

Killing Grubs in the Spring

Preventative products should be used in the late summer.  Killing products work best in the spring. The product below can be applied anytime of the year to kill grubs. 

Chicken Feed from Tractor Supply

You can add to your cart and purchase and then pickup at the store.  Not really worth ordering online due to shipping costs.

DuMOR 16% Layer Crumble, 50 lb., 3006316-306

DuMOR 16% Layer Crumble, 50 lb., 3006316-306 [More]

Price: $14.99

Bermuda lawn care and caring for your gardens. 

Large Spreader Used – Top Pick for 2021

Probably one of the best VALUES for a large spreader with huge 13 inch wheels. 

Best VALUE in Reel Mowers

 

Lawn care tips and Bermuda lawn care.  

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Rick S
Rick S
2 years ago

Your recommended products have done wonders for my AZ Bermuda (Tifgreen) lawn. However….I’ve got 4-5 bare spots that will not grow grass. I’ve been told by landscapers that my lawn has Pearscale, which is an insect that feed (deep) on Bermuda roots. Do you have any recommendations on how to treat this issue? I’m being told I need to dig out min 12” of soil and replace soil and sod. Thanks in advance!

Robert
Robert
1 year ago

Does the basic soil test from Clemson give you nitrogen level? I know on previous soil tests I always have low levels of Nitrogen.