Learn About Your Soil

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Easy Soil Testing Guide for a Healthier Lawn

Ever question which fertilizer is best for your lawn?  How about how much fertilizer to purchase and apply to your lawn?  Perhaps your lawn isn’t looking healthy as you want it after the money, work, and effort put into it.  

Well, you may be feeding your lawn the wrong fertilizer and potentially the wrong amounts.  

Soil testing is crucial for a healthy lawn. It helps you choose the right fertilizer and saves you time and money. Here's how to do it easily:

‍Why Soil Testing Matters

Find the Right Fertilizer 

Soil tests and their easy to read results show what your soil needs to be fed, so you don't waste money on the wrong products.

Save Time

Knowing your soil's condition and what it’s asking for helps you make smart decisions for your lawn without guesswork.

Save Money

Getting a soil test stops the guesswork, so say goodbye to wasting all your money on the wrong fertilizer. 

How to Test Your Soil

When to Test

Start with a soil test at the beginning of the season. Once you have your first soil test completed, that will provide you with a proper foundational understanding of your property.  From there, it’s recommended to test your soil every 3-5 years to track progress.

Soil testing can be done year round as long as the soil is not frozen - However, it is recommended to wait at least 30 days after any fertilization applications to avoid any skewed results.  

What to Test

Create a diagram of your property and note different areas like full sun or shade.  It’s very common to have multiple environments within each property.  It is recommended to conduct a soil test from each unique environment within your property. Collect soil samples from these areas to submit.  

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How to Collect Samples

Use a soil probe or shovel to collect multiple 3-inch deep cores from each area. 

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Tools needed for soil sample collection: 

  • Soil Probe and Soil Test Kit: To collect and submit soil samples
  • Clean bucket for each soil testing area: To hold and mix collected samples
  • Gloves: To avoid any unnecessary contaminations
  • Diagram of your property: To record the locations of collected samples
  • Soil Test Kit: To submit and receive your soil test results

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Mix the samples in a clean bucket and let them dry at room temperature.  Remove any debris, thatch, or grass from your final sample and break up any large pieces of soil. 

Submitting Samples

Follow the instructions on your soil test kit. Most kits provide a container for your sample and detailed instructions on how they should be shipped to the soil testing lab. If not, use a clean, labeled container for delivery/shipment. 

I use MySoil and recommend their tests for any new homeowner or those at the beginner/intermediate level in lawn care.  Their tests are incredibly easy to understand and point you in the right direction towards what fertilizers you’ll need (and how much of them) to start making positive changes in your lawn. 

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What Soil Testing Reveals

pH Levels

Determines if your soil is acidic, neutral, or alkaline, affecting nutrient availability.  If these levels are too low or high, the plant will not be able to uptake nutrients at the optimal levels.  

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Macronutrients and Micronutrient Levels

Includes a current snapshot of your soil’s macronutrient and micronutrient levels. 

Macronutrients include Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), Potassium (K), otherwise known as “The Big 3.”  Secondary nutrients that also hold a great importance are Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Sulfur (S). 

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Micronutrients include Boron (B), Chloride (Cl), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), Nickel (Ni), and Zinc (Zn). 

How to Adjust

Based on your soil test results, you may need to add lime to raise pH or sulfur to lower it if your pH levels are unbalanced. Adjusting nutrient levels with the adequate amount of fertilizers and amendments helps plants grow better while minimizing any harm to the environment.

Soil testing might seem complex, but it's worth the effort. By understanding your soil, you can care for your lawn more effectively, enjoy a healthier, greener lawn, and most importantly save time and money in the process.

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References: 

https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/ho/ho-71-w.pdf

https://extension.purdue.edu/news/county/marion/2021/09/Soil-Testing-Information.html

https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden 

Step
1

Learn About Your Soil

Ever question which fertilizer is best for your lawn? How about how much fertilizer to purchase and apply to your lawn? Perhaps your lawn isn’t looking healthy as you want it after the money, work, and effort put into it.

Let's go!
Step
2

Know Your Surroundings

Knowing your lawn's location and the type of grass it has is crucial for proper care. Simply put, no two lawns are the same. Their location is different, soil type is different, grass type is likely different, and the way they are maintained are likely different.

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Step
3

Measure Your Property

Measuring your lawn is crucial for buying the right amount of products like fertilizer. Here's how to do it easily:

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4

The Basics of Fertilizing

Adding fertilizers to your lawn care routine is crucial for maintaining plant health and achieving a lush, green lawn. Fertilizers provide essential nutrients that enable proper plant growth and help improve the overall health and appearance of your lawn. In this article, we'll explore the benefits of fertilizing, whether to DIY or hire a professional, steps to fertilizing your lawn, finding the right fertilizer, calculating application rates, using a spreader, when to fertilize, and watering in fertilizer applications.

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Step
5

Get a Thicker, Greener Lawn

Getting a thick, lush, green lawn - When and how to seed your lawn. 

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6

Preventing & Managing Weeds in Your Lawn

Control the weeds in your lawn to enjoy a lush, green lawn again. 

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7

The Basics to Watering Your Lawn

Water is a required resource needed by all living things, plants included. Similar to humans needing to drink enough water, our lawns and gardens are no different.

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8

The Basics to Mowing Your Lawn

The Beginner's Guide to Lawn Mowing: Tips for a Lush, Healthy Lawn

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9

The Basics of Dethatching Your Lawn

A lush, green lawn is the pride of any homeowner, but achieving that perfect lawn requires proper care and maintenance. One important aspect of lawn care that is often overlooked is dethatching. Dethatching is the process of removing the layer of dead grass, debris, and organic matter that can accumulate on the surface of your lawn, known as thatch. While a thin layer of thatch is normal and can actually benefit your lawn, too much thatch can prevent water, air, and nutrients from reaching the roots of your grass, leading to a dull, unhealthy lawn. 

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10

The Basics of Core Aeration

Achieving a healthy, vibrant lawn requires more than just regular mowing and watering. Core aeration is an essential maintenance practice that can greatly benefit your cool-season lawn. Core aeration involves removing small plugs of soil from your lawn, allowing for better air, water, and nutrient penetration to the grassroots. Understanding when and why to aerate your lawn can help you achieve a lush, healthy lawn that's the envy of the neighborhood.

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11

Fall Chores & Managing Leaves

As the vibrant colors of fall foliage begin to fade, homeowners are faced with the annual chore of managing fallen leaves. While it may be tempting to simply rake them up and dispose of them, there are better ways to manage fall leaves that can benefit your cool-season lawn. Properly managing fall leaves can help improve soil health, reduce thatch buildup, and provide valuable nutrients to your lawn.

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