Soil pH can make or break your lawn
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What’s a little dirt? It’s brown, messy and makes tracks on the floor – but it also serves a purpose: to grow that coveted, luscious lawn so many are after.
Most people don’t think about the pH of soil, however, and that could be a mistake, said Louis Miller, WBRZ lawn and garden expert.
“You can spend all sorts of money on sod, and if the soil isn’t good, your yard will never look good,” Miller said.
Proper pH helps grasses assimilate nutrients. So before planting sod or considering lawn care, having a soil pH test is crucial, Miller said. He recommended getting lawn soil tested by a local county extension agent for a small fee. Online forms are available at http://www.lsu-agcenter.com or by calling (225) 578-1261.
A report is sent within two to three weeks, which can help homeowners decide what, if any, steps to take.
Here is a list of recommendations from the LSU AgCenter.
pH issues:
- For alkaline soil (pH above 7): Sulfur, copperas (ferrous sulfate) or aluminum sulfate may be applied to make it more acidic. This is especially important if you intend to plant acid-loving plants.
- For acidic soil (pH below 5.5): Lime or dolomitic lime may be applied to raise the pH and provide essential nutrients such as calcium and magnesium.
- Fertilizer: If your soil is low in phosphorus and potassium, choose an all-purpose fertilizer with a 1:1:1 ratio, such as 8-8-8 or 13-13-13. If phosphorus and potassium levels are moderate to high, choose an all-purpose fertilizer with about a 3:1:2 or 4:1:2 ratio, such as 15-5-10, 16-4-8 or something similar.
