Lawn fertilizer reccomendations - Ask Extension
I had a soil test done on my lawn. The results are below. My lawn is 13,000 SqfT. What fertilizer recommendations and or lime should i apply? Any help...
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Lawn fertilizer reccomendations #822177
Asked March 11, 2023, 9:55 AM EST
I had a soil test done on my lawn. The results are below. My lawn is 13,000 SqfT. What fertilizer recommendations and or lime should i apply? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Rome
Muskegon County Michigan
Expert Response
Nitrogen is not fixed in the soil and levels change with every rainfall and/or watering so it needs to be replenished. The Nitrogen level in your soil sample was only accurate when the sample was taken. It is best not to apply more than 1 pound of nitrogen to 1,000 square feet of lawn per application as it will force excess plant foilar growth leaving the turf weakened and susceptible to disease. I'd suggest a fertilizer with some slow-release nitrogen in it.
Your phosphorous level is adequate. No additional P is needed. You should not apply fertilizer containing phosphorous to your lawn. St of MI Phosphorous Restriction for Lawns
Your potassium level is low. I'd suggest getting the same level of Potassium as Nitrogen in your fertilizer.
See the attached links for more info:
Spring Lawn Fertilization - MSU
Fertilizing Lawns to Protect Water Quality (E0005)-MSU
Fertilizer Basics_Smart Gardener-MSU
Lawn Fertilizing Schedule-Illinois <= how to calculate # fertilizer per 1000 sq ft
Fertilizing the lawn-K State
Turfgrass Fertilization Basics-PSU
Your pH is OK but on the acidic side. I would not apply Sulfur unless you are applying lime this spring too.
Your soil test does not state what soil type you have (sand, loam or clay) which can affect the results of some nutrient applications. MSU does a soil test that identifies soil type and makes fertilizer recommendations. Info on their new soil test program will be here when announced in the near future: Don't Guess-Soil Test-MSU
Your phosphorous level is adequate. No additional P is needed. You should not apply fertilizer containing phosphorous to your lawn. St of MI Phosphorous Restriction for Lawns
Your potassium level is low. I'd suggest getting the same level of Potassium as Nitrogen in your fertilizer.
See the attached links for more info:
Spring Lawn Fertilization - MSU
Fertilizing Lawns to Protect Water Quality (E0005)-MSU
Fertilizer Basics_Smart Gardener-MSU
Lawn Fertilizing Schedule-Illinois <= how to calculate # fertilizer per 1000 sq ft
Fertilizing the lawn-K State
Turfgrass Fertilization Basics-PSU
Your pH is OK but on the acidic side. I would not apply Sulfur unless you are applying lime this spring too.
Your soil test does not state what soil type you have (sand, loam or clay) which can affect the results of some nutrient applications. MSU does a soil test that identifies soil type and makes fertilizer recommendations. Info on their new soil test program will be here when announced in the near future: Don't Guess-Soil Test-MSU
Hello Dick,
Thank you for the response. I have tried to order the testing kit from you. The links in several sites return a "page no longer available" or another one says "This product is not available".
Can you provide instructions on how to order please.
Thank you in advance,
Rome
I'm sorry, I should have explained the soil testing change in more detail. MSU is changing their soil testing program and is not currently accepting samples. They should start again in the spring of 2023 (soon!!). Click the following link (Don't Guess-Soil Test-MSU ) to open "Don’t guess - Soil Test!", then click the soil test kit link which should open the 'MSU Soil Test' page. There, under 'Purchase the kit' will be instructions to obtain a kit when it becomes available (hopefully soon). Go back regularly until there are instructions.
Thank you!
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 14, 2023, at 10:45 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
