Hello, Mr. Fescue! How are you feeling today? Hmmm, I see you are not feeling too well. I’ll need to ask you a question before we continue with this exam.
When was the last time you had your soil tested? What? Never had your lawn soil tested before? Interesting.
Well, I recommend you get your lawn soil tested every three years. You may be lacking some nutrients you need to resist disease and endure a hard winter or an extremely hot summer next year. I’m sure you are aware that having too much or too little of these nutrients can be harmful to your plant growth. Also, by getting tested, you will learn the recommended amount and type fertilizer necessary to make you healthy again. Why take medicine you don’t need? Be sure to tell your owner to follow directions on the soil-testing package very carefully and not to take a sample when you are wet.
Since you are in the cool-season fescue grass family, it is important you do this testing now and fertilize yourself accordingly this fall, September through November. Those in the warm-season grass family that include Bermuda, Zoysia grass, Centipede, and St. Augustine may wait until after the frost in the early spring to do their lawn testing.
Any questions?
Can I get a soil-test kit over the counter? Yes, you can. Call your local garden center or hardware store and see if they have soil-testing kits available. Just make sure the soil kit includes testing for nitrogen (needed for blade growth) and phosphorus (needed for root growth).
Are there other options?
- Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent has soil kits.
- Visit askHRgreen.org/fertilizing-in-Hampton-Roads for other available testing facilities.
Remember, as a grass you only take in what you need. If you are given more than you need, it ends up as runoff in our waterways and is harmful to our marine ecosystem.
This soil test is just what all “lawn doctors” should order. If you need help interpreting the results, or have questions, please be sure to contact your local Virginia Cooperative Extension Office. They are there to help you!