Soil testing – necessary for your spring lawn

Start spring right with your soil in top shape

Do not be distracted by the snow on the ground. Fact is – spring is upon us! It is time to consider how your garden or lawn should look when there is more sunshine and rain to enjoy. However, before that takes place, your lawn requires proper awakening.  So, the first step is to ensure that your soil is ready for spring. This could mean soil testing, the need for fertilizing, and many other spring pick-me-up chores. As you must now know, in the early days of spring, soil testing comes right on top of the list.

Soil testing may pertain to a broad array of soil analysis done for several reasons.

Soil analysis is a critical process in evaluating your soil’s fertilization and quality to support plant life. While this can be conducted any time of the year, the ideal time to test soil is in spring. Soil testing is done best before adding any compost or any other modifications to your soil. These tests can determine the concentration of phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, magnesium, lime, and other organic matter in the soil.

Test results can indicate what you need to add to your soil to achieve the ideal pH level and nutrient composition.

You can perform soil testing through commercial labs and Do-It-Yourself kits. Commercial labs offer a wide range of tests focusing on different classes of compounds and minerals. Because of proximity, soil testing from local labs has the advantage of familiarity with the chemistry in the identified area for sampling. With this, the technicians are able to suggest the most suitable test/s for the purpose or goal.

Lab tests are able to test for plant nutrients in three categories: One is major nutrients such as NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium). Another is secondary nutrients such as sulfur, magnesium, calcium. Lastly, minor nutrients like copper, boron, iron, manganese, chlorine, zinc, molybdenum.

Do-It-Yourself kits commonly test only for the three major nutrients and for the soil’s pH level or acidity.

You can easily find these kits in gardening stores, some hardware stores, private and university labs, and farming cooperatives. While both types are useful, lab tests have relatively higher accuracy. Depending on the type of test and amount of information you need, DIY kits cost anywhere from $6 to $15. In comparison, lab soil testing services can cost much more.

So, keep in mind that even the most expensive Do-It-Yourself kit cannot take the place of a professional testing.

A good way to combine both is to start with a professional soil testing and analysis.

Afterwards, once you have the necessary professional test results, monitor the progress of your soil with a kit. Doing this can help you save money.

How to do your own Soil Testing

As per the manufacturer’s instructions, add the right amount of solution from the kit to the recommended amount of soil. Then, allow the particles to settle by shaking the mixture well. Using the chart that goes with the kit, match the color of the resulting mixture.

FAQs:

Why do we need to soil testing?

Every plant has its own nutrient and soil acidity requirements that are different from others for optimal growth. Soil testing evaluates nutrients, macronutrients, and soil pH available for your plants that are in your lawn or garden. Whether it has too much or too little, you will find the appropriate information on the data to help you address any possible issue.

How often should I have soil testing?

You can perform soil testing any time of the year so long as the ground is not frozen. It is a good idea to test soil in spring  before planting, but fall is best especially if soil acidity is a potential problem.

Retesting the soil after one year from the time you made amendments is a good idea.

This will help you assess if the results of soil testing addressed the issue.

Who benefits from soil testing?

Gardeners, Farmers, Planters, homeowners, greenhouse growers, landscapers, etc. all benefit from soil testing. Most importantly, your grass will benefit from early testing in spring. Good soil condition leads to great grass growth throughout the seasons.

What’s included in the Soil Test kit from commercial or university labs?

Generally, a kit contains a soil mailing lab together with a submission form that you need to fill out.

How much does professional soil testing cost?

It varies depending on the test you need or are asking for. A soil nitrate test ranges from $10 to $20. Tests for toxins for farming can be anywhere from $30 – $50 per test.

How do I collect soil samples for professional testing and analysis?

Using a rust-free and clean trowel, dig several holes in your lawn 6 to 8 inches deep. Take samples from several areas of your lawn. From one side of each hole, slice a part of the soil, saving 1 to 2 inches from the center of the slice. Leave out the sides, bottom, and top parts. Combine the samples in a clean and transparent container. Let them dry at room temperature. Do not forget to include the appropriate fee for the lab. Then you are set to send your soil sample to the lab.

The test results will give you information about your soil from which you can decide on what to do next if needed.

How soon can the soil test results be available?

A routine soil test can generally be ready within 5 business days. However, remember to allot 3 to 6 for mail to and from the lab.

What All American Turf Beauty Says About Soil Testing

Lawn experts from All American Turf Beauty encourage early preparation for the coming of spring. This means an overall evaluation of your lawn’s condition. This includes determining what damage winter is leaving your lawn and the current conditions that will determine the actions you’ll need to take. Hence, soil testing is on the list of to-do’s if you want to start spring right. There is nothing only the best lawn care experts in Iowa can give you. Get in touch with All American Turf Beauty to keep you on the right track as it is time to revive your lawn. Call us today and talk to our lawn care experts at 1-800-365-8873 or you may visit us at 311 Desoto Rd, Van Meter, IA.

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Lawn care tips for spring is never too early

Welcome this spring with early lawn care tips

Having the winter freeze stay a little longer sure makes you miss stepping out to a pretty damp spring. Oh, how you wish to trade off the snow that refuses to leave with nice, fresh daffodils and your lush, green carpet. While you wait for the snow to leave, it would be a good time to make sure you are all geared up to welcome spring. So this early, let us revisit your known lawn care tips. That way, you can see that you have all the best practices in place to set up for spring.

What’s a good reason why you should revisit and revise your lawn care tips in spring?

Because it is the start of growth of everything in your lawn, it is vital that you start off well. If you neglect your spring lawn care tips, you could end up paying for it the rest of the year. Think about building a good foundation for your lawn. Then start early in spring to fortify its growth to withstand the summer heat and the shift of temperature in fall and winter. As you do this, be glad for there is good news! Spring actually requires little to do. So, you will find that your lawn care tips won’t have as much tasks as it will in summer and fall. As you now know, spring does not entail a lot of work for you. In fact, you will probably just need to implement only a few selections of the spring lawn care tips we have for you.

One thing that does not appear much in lawn care tips is caring for your hose.

Now is a good time to make sure that your hose is in prime condition. After all, spring brings lots of rain. However, it also brings lots of opportunity to water as you feed your lawn. Is your hose in great shape? While you are not preoccupied with growth on your lawn yet, take some time to check your hose. It is imperative to start the spring season with the right tools. Your lawn care tips and maintenance schedule is not complete without a sturdy hose. If you need to shop for a hose, buy one that is long enough to water your entire lawn. Note this as part of your lawn care tips for spring time.

Another thing you should bring attention to is your rake. You will need it in the early spring days. One of the lawn care tips you should take note of is getting your rake ready.

Raking will be your first task in your spring lawn maintenance.

Even if you cleaned out your yard in the fall prior winter, you must get ready to rake before spring. Raking is more than just removing leaves. When winter leaves, you will notice a thatch build-up on parts of your lawn. Some parts may have thicker layers than others. More than 1/2 inch of thatch is not good for your lawn. It will suffocate the soil and grass that’s beginning to grow. Hence, our lawn care tips for you won’t be complete without telling you to be ready to rake.

A few lawn care tips in other seasons relate to how your yard turns out in spring.

For instance, in fall, if you raked deeply, you will have removed potential thatch in the spring to come. Aside from removing leaves, deep raking in fall removes thatch, too. But even if you do deep raking in fall, you must not skip raking in early spring. Lawn care tips give high priority to raking as it removes thatch and dead blades of grass from winter. Another good reason for spring raking is discovering and destroying snow molds.

As you examine your lawn in early spring, you might find matted patches where grass blades are stuck together.

These patches might just be snow mold. If you have snow molds in parts of your lawn, one primary lawn care tip we would recommend is to rake those patches off. Sometimes, raking is sufficient. Otherwise, consult your lawn care expert for the proper treatment. Snow molds are not good for your soil and grass. Because it covers the surface, grass will have difficulty penetrating areas covered in snow mold.

Part of early spring lawn care tips is checking your soil for compaction.

Did your lawn have considerable amount of traffic this winter and throughout the year?

Now is a good time to check for signs of decline. Lawn aeration comes up on the list of lawn care tips for spring. As you must already know, it is the remedy for soil compaction. You can rent a soil aerator or contact your lawn care service team to take care of soil aeration. Get your lawn examined early to find out if it needs aeration.

FAQ: Do I need to apply lime on my soil in spring?

Grass naturally thrives in neutral pH. Imbalance in pH levels of your soil results in uneven and weak grass growth. You can solve this problem by liming your soil. However, it is not as easy as one, two, three. For one thing, the effects of liming take a long time to show. Hence, liming is most definitely not a quick fix. Make it part of the lawn care tips you follow to get a sample of your soil in early spring. After all, the best way to find out if it needs liming is to test it. Your lawn care experts can help you with soil testing. You need to find out the level of acidity your soil has. Then you can determine how much lime per square foot your soil needs.

However if your lawn has been doing quite fine and if it does not show any signs of acidity, you should not worry about liming.

Liming is but a corrective measure and not a must for your spring lawn care tips list.

Balance is the key. Putting lime on your soil does not prevent anything. Too much acid and too much alkaline can both do your lawn harm.

What All American Turf Beauty Says About Lawn Care Tips for Early Spring

Lawn experts from All American Turf Beauty know how excited you are to be rid of the long freeze and to welcome spring with open arms. While the stubborn cold slowly leaves, it’s not a bad idea to get ready for early spring. Nothing but the best lawn care tips from your topnotch lawn care experts in Iowa. Get in touch with All American Turf Beauty to keep you on the right track as it is time to revive your lawn. Call us today and talk to our lawn care experts at 1-800-365-8873 or you may visit us at 311 Desoto Rd, Van Meter, IA.

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