Should Your Lawn Be Soil Tested?

So, should your lawn be soil tested? The soil’s composition and nutrient levels affect your lawn’s health and beauty. Soil testing analyses the pH level, nutrient deficiencies, and other factors that can affect the health and growth of your grass. 

If your goal is a healthy, disease-free lawn that flourishes and requires less maintenance, then yes, you should have your lawn soil tested.  

Should Your Lawn Be Soil Tested?

How Important Is Soil Testing your Lawn?

Soil testing, specifically for Soil Organic Matter (SOM) and Soil Organic Carbon (SOC), is essential for your lawn because it provides valuable information about the soil’s nutrient content, pH level, and overall health. Therefore, knowing the soil’s composition helps determine what fertilizers and other actions are best to promote a healthy lawn. Additionally, soil testing can identify potential problems, such as nutrient deficiencies or excesses, which can be corrected before they damage your lawn. Overall, regular soil testing is an integral part of maintaining a healthy and beautiful lawn.

How Often Should Soil Be Tested?

If you notice issues with your lawn’s health, such as yellowing or stunted growth, getting the soil tested immediately may be beneficial. If you’ve recently made changes to your lawn care routine, such as adding fertilizer or changing watering habits, it may be a good idea to get your soil tested to ensure that your lawn receives the proper nutrients. 

“The best way to find out what your soil needs to nourish healthy turf is to have it tested. Most soil testing labs recommend that you check the status of your soil every three to five years.” — Purdue Extension — Turf Grass Science 

Can I Do Soil Testing Myself?

While you can use a home testing kit, seeking professional help for accurate and comprehensive results is generally recommended. Professional soil testing services typically provide a more detailed analysis of soil composition, pH levels, nutrient deficiencies, and other factors that can affect the health of your lawn. Additionally, professionals can provide tailored recommendations for fertilizers and other treatments based on your yard’s specific needs. However, if you conduct soil testing yourself, follow instructions carefully and use a reputable testing kit for accurate results.

What Are the Benefits of Lawn Soil Testing?

Here’s the bottom line: soil testing can help you create a prize-winning lawn. One that your neighbors’ envy. The bonus is that it is also cost-effective, time-saving, and practical. Here are some benefits of Soil testing your lawn:

Improve Plant Growth

Soil testing helps you identify the nutrients that your soil lacks and suggests the appropriate fertilizers to improve plant growth. It can help you maintain the optimal pH level for your lawn, which is crucial for healthy growth.

Save Money

Testing can save you money on unnecessary fertilizers and soil amendments, which can be expensive and might not be required for your soil. Because over-fertilizing or using the wrong formula could damage your lawn. 

Pro Tip: Over-fertilization can lead to pollution of waterways and harm the environment.

Prevent Disease

Testing can identify soil-borne diseases that affect your plants.  A professional lawn care expert can customize a prevention plan for your lawn.  

Bring Home the Prize

So, overall, soil testing is helpful in maintaining a healthy lawn and ensuring optimal plant growth while minimizing costs and protecting the environment. However, the most compelling reason to test your soil may be to create a beautiful prize winning lawn.

How Can We Help You?

Berger Hargis has a company philosophy of providing personal excellence for all our services. Our growth and success have been due entirely to our commitment to honest, excellent customer service. We’ve built Berger Hargis on the referral business we have received due to this philosophy.

We work with residential customers and businesses in Central Indiana. Contact Us for a free consultation about your grounds from our team of experts.

About the Author

Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek, and on weekends fronts the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar on weekends. He’s the proud father of two daughters, four amazing grandchildren, and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook, a crash course in effective management.

Photo by Mufid Majnun on Unsplash

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