Now that we own the property, we would like to improve the lawn. The back yard has four large oak trees that cast shade most of the day/year. Just wanting to determine a starting point for improving the soil before looking at seeding or sodding.

The best source (and resource) is probably your County Extension Agent.

I got this one from Lowes and it wasn't hard to use:





1. Dig up some soil about 2-3 inches down
2. Let dry then crumble up, I used a screen to really break it up/sift it
3. Has 4 tests:
Nitrogen(N)
Phosphorus(P)
Potassium(K)
PH

My soil was VERY low in nitrogen in the couple of places I tested, in one spot it was registering as barely there for the test.

How To Use A Soil Test Kit

Google your county name and soil testing, you'll get a link to where you can pick up free soil testing bags and send them off to the University of FL testing lab.

Usually you want several samples from around the yard.

This. The home test kits are not nearly as accurate or complete as a lab-based test. I have used up to the professional kits costing many hundreds of dollars with less-than-useful results. Specifically this one. After the soil test is complete, you still have to calculate appropriate remediation, your extension agent will do this for you. Most likely, he or she has seen enough samples from your locale to be able to make initial recommendations prior to testing.

A big part of soil testing is to use the proper methodology of obtaining and preparing samples. Take soil samples from various parts of your turf, combine them, dry, and sift them, e.g. through a window screen to get the rocks out. The sample you take to the extension agent should look smooth and granular, like potting soil from a bag.

quote:

The back yard has four large oak trees that cast shade most of the day/year.

from this, I can tell you that you are very likely to have a very low pH (acidic) soil caused by the decomposition of fallen leaves. Acidic soil prevents the uptake of essential nutrients even if they are not absent, so fertilizing an acid soil is a waste of money until it is limed, and may cause overgrowth if lime is applied subsequent to fertilization.

There is a lot more to an attractive lawn than just getting the soil right, Turf species and its tolerance to your micro-climate is essential. Just when you get it properly nutriated, and growing nicely, the weeds roll in, get rid of the weeds, and you develop insect infestations, get rid of the bugs, and you start to build up excessive thatch. Much more satisfying to pour yourself a cocktail and admire what you have from your patio, even if it isn't perfect.

So replace the lawn with gravel. Ok, the wife aint gonna be happy but Sig form has spoken.

The Great Sigforum. Strikes. Again.

quote:

Originally posted by MelissaDallas:
The best source (and resource) is probably your County Extension Agent.

This. When I was still in the hay business the fertilizer company did the soil tests for free. We bought about $30k in fertilizer every year. (FYI nowadays that same fertilizer would be more than $100k). Then the thieving bastards started charging me and exorbitant fee for testing, so I went to the extension agent and they did it for free with a nice report of what to supplement the soil with. In your state they may charge. At the cost of fertilizer nowadays it has to be just enough of the right nutrients, we can't afford to just throw some fertilizer out there and hope it works. The manner in which you collect the samples is also important. Your extension agent may loan you a probe and give instructions on soil collection, if not you can probably get the probe at a farm store.

quote:

Originally posted by Tuckerrnr1:
So replace the lawn with gravel. Ok, the wife aint gonna be happy but Sig form has spoken.

The head for the range, no watering, no mowing, no weeding.

quote:

Originally posted by Tuckerrnr1:

So replace the lawn with gravel. Ok, the wife aint gonna be happy but Sig form has spoken.

More than once I have suggested to my wife that we call for a concrete delivery truck and then paint it green.

Here’s a small glimpse of my front yard. It’s a native type of grass called granite. It really is a beautiful granite lawn.