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Soil Analysis Help for Bermuda Lawn

Posted by simplepleasures496 8 (My Page) on
Tue, Jul 31, 12 at 15:48

I've been wanting to get a soil analysis for years now and finally got around to it. After reading good things about Logan Labs from the site, I sent it there and am having trouble interpreting the results. I also sent one to Clemson University, but have not yet received those results. As the subject says, I have about 1500 sq ft of bermuda lawn in my front yard and want to make sure I don't screw things up. I've been cutting every 3 days at 1 1/2" and we get afternoon thunderstorms almost daily so watering has been mostly from mother nature. Apart from that I've been putting down Scotts Turf Builder at 1 lb N / 1000 sq ft every 30 days or so. Can any of the experts help me with advice?

Zip Code: 29420

Total Exchange Capacity (M. E.): 11.15
pH of Soil Sample: 5.90
Organic Matter, Percent: 6.42

Anions
Sulfur (ppm): 13
Mehlich III Phosphorous (as P2O5 lbs/acre): 219

Exchangeable Cations
Calcium: -72
Magnesium: -106
Potassium: -164
Sodium: 61

Base Saturation %
Calcium (60 to 70%): 66.04
Magnesium (10 to 20%): 7.22
Potassium (2 to 5%): 1.72
Sodium (.5 to 3%): 1.43
Other Bases (variable): 5.60
Exchangable Hydrogen (10 to 15%): 18.00

Trace Elements
Boron: 0.24
Iron: 146
Manganese: 3
Copper: 0.43
Zinc: 2.17
Aluminum: 644

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

Phil


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Soil Analysis Help for Bermuda Lawn

Where are the values for the calcium, magnesium, and potassium? Your soil is in pretty good shape, but the pH needs to be brought up a bit, and your Mg, K, and Sulfur levels are a bit low. You can raise your pH and mag levels with dolomitic lime, or if you have a Lesco/John Deere Landscape nearby you can use Mag Turf Pro, which is faster acting than plain dolomitic lime which tends to be very slow. Use the high bag rate. To raise your potassium and sulfur levels apply potassium sulfate, or potash at a rate of 2 lbs/1000 square feet monthly for the next three months. Muriate of potash or potassium chloride won't provide the sulfur you need, and the chlorides can build up in your soil if you are applying monthly.


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RE: Soil Analysis Help for Bermuda Lawn

Thanks tiemco. Can I add the Mag Turf Pro and potassium sulfate/potash at the same time? You say the high bag rate for the Mag Turf Pro, do I do this just once or multiple times? If multiple, how long between applications and how many times?

Calcium: 2455
Magnesium: 161
Potassium: 125

The values in the original message are the deficit given from Logan Labs. What about the trace elements? Some look low compared to results I've seen from other peoples results.


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RE: Soil Analysis Help for Bermuda Lawn

Other than your PH you are in pretty good shape.


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