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Soil Savy - test results help

9 years ago

I've seen people posting Logan lab results, but is anyone able to help with Soil Savy results?


I submitted a soil sample to soil savvy lab and here are the results.


Illinois - 5b

This is newly planted seed (Oct 2016). Sunny grass mix: 50% of Kentucky Bluegrass, 30% turf-type perennial ryegrass and 20% fine fescue and has not seen any lawn care yet.


The results recommend a 16-16-16 Synthetic or a 5-5-5 organic.

I am not exactly sure where to start to find those. A few quick searches turned up nothing on those exact values. The lawn is 15,000 square feet, so price per bag and shipping prices also need to take into consideration.


I'm going to hold off on the pre-e for this first season, so looking for recommendations on next steps with these results.

Comments (13)

  • 9 years ago

    Hopefully ridgerunner can help with the test itself. He will make better recommendations than what's on the test, the amount per thousand sq ft recommended seems overly conservative to me.

    In regards to the fertilizer, the numbers don't have to be exact. The N-P-K value (in this case 16-16-16) represents the percentage of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Kalium (Potassium) in the fertilizer. So when you're applying 3.5 lbs of 16-16-16 you are really applying 0.56(3.5*0.16) lbs of N, 0.56 lbs of P and 0.56 lbs of K.

    What if you can't find 16-16-16? No problem. Most big box stores have 10-10-10 for general purpose garden use. So if we're trying to apply 0.56 lbs of N(and P and K), then we could substitute the 3.5 lbs of 16-16-16 for 5.6 lbs of 10-10-10(5.6*0.10=0.56). Or you could substitute for 12-12-12, whatever you can find locally, you just have to do the math.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    But if you use the chemical fertilizer, don't apply it now. Wait until the end of May to apply. If you apply it now it will force the plant to use the stored nutrient resources it would normally be saving until later in the season. This is early/mid spring. The grass is going to grow fast regardless of whether you fertilize or not. Wait until Memorial Day and then use the fertilizer. Next month you could spot spray any weeds you have with Weed-b-Gon or Weed-b-Gon Chickweed, Clover, and Oxalis Killer (or equivalent). Then in May you will be fertilizing grass and not weeds.

    If you use organic fertilizer, that is a light dose. 15-20 pounds per 1,000 is more like what is a normal application.

    You don't need lime, Epsom salts, or anything with magnesium in it. I'm guessing your soil seems like clay to you. It might be clay (cannot tell from your test), but it could be the salt imbalance that makes is act like clay. Real clay is very rare, but it does happen.

    Are you having any special issues with the lawn?

  • 9 years ago

    Nope, no special issues yet. Its still somewhat thin, but hasn't had much time to grow yet.

    I am just trying to find the best product/rate for my newer lawn - based on those test results.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    You're the second person in the last 6 months or so to post a Soil Savvy Report.

    Are they running infomercials or is some youtube "expert" recommending them or what?

    I'm guessing based on their description, that their extractant is some version of H3A. It was developed about 10 years ago but to my knowledge, it has never been calibrated and has not been adopted as an alternative or option in lieu of the accepted extractants for soil analysis by any soil science/agronomy program or professional lab. However, a few (very few) labs do provide H3A-1, 2 or 3 in addition to standard testing for a fee.

    In this case it is more akin to a saturated paste test than a soil nutrient test for soil amending/balancing. Consequently, I'm sorry, but IMO, it is of no use in making soil recommendations.

    I can't read some of the reports numbers (too out of focus), but FYI, per their literature, the pH they report will be about .5 lower than actual pH.

    Onward:

    I know of no single organic fertilizer source with anything near a balanced NPK. Edit: (although there may be some with minuscule values--paging dchall) Most big box stores will carry a synthetic balanced or triple NPK fertilizer but they will most often be labeled as "garden" food or fertilizer (10-10-10, 12-12-12, 19-19-19 etc) and will be in small packages of 5-10lbs. You'll get a much better per unit price from a garden center or feed store or co-op or SiteOne store in 50 lb bags. Follow j4c's advice to calculate amounts needed and cost comparison.

    I would agree with dchall's advice if this was an established lawn, but for new turf, fertilize at 1/2 bag rate (or at 1/2# of N) every two weeks and then 1# June 1, then do nothing but water and mow until you start the Fall regimen around Late August.

    Good luck.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I'm going to respectfully dissent and say that on a first year lawn, nutrients/fertilizer should be applied in the spring at a rate of 1#/K/month to help the new grass mature and establish. Particularly since it was seeded late(October) and hasn't had much growing time.

    Anyone want to chime in and break the tie? No filibusters :-)

    Edit: nevermind, ridgerunner beat me to it.

    Are they running infomercials or is some youtube "expert" recommending them or what?

    I think the "lawn care nut" is promoting them.

    Edit 2: check out lawncarenut.com

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Isn't that your site? Are you the "lawn car nut"? I didn't see where you recommend Soil Savvy.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Haha no it's not me, I just have the domain :-). You can find the "lawn care nut" on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LawnCareMidwest

    Looks like he's on here as well: http://www.houzz.com/pro/allyn-hane/the-lawn-care-nut maybe he'll stop by and say hello

  • 9 years ago

    Yes, the YouTube expert, lawn care nut, recommended that product. I guess I need a sample from Logan labs for some real results and better analysis by you guys.

    I only sampled the backyard seed, and not the front yard sod. They were both laid/planted at the same time.

    I will follow the plans above and apply at half bag rate 1/2# N. I guess at this time, based on those results, any starter fert should do?

  • 9 years ago

    Starter fert (both for the new seed area and for the new sod) would be fine in most any case. You may as well wait until nest Spring to do a soil test (before you apply anything next Spring, but wait until after winter breaks for a couple of weeks)


    I'll check this lawn nut guy out. :)

  • 9 years ago

    I see Milorganite 36 #5-2-0 on sale on Blains Farm and Fleet online for $6.99. I know I've seen this recommended before.

    Would this be something to apply and 1/2 bag rate as well?

  • 9 years ago

    When you absolutely, positively have to have it now, organics aren't the answer.

    1. the soil needs to be warm enough for the microbes to release the nutrients.

    2. 5-2-0 has no potassium, less phosphorous to N ratio, and only 2.5% fast release N.

  • 9 years ago

    I think the lawn care nut recently moved to FL. He seems a little out of his element, but he hasn't killed anything yet.

  • 6 years ago

    Recent reviews over the last few months (see Amazon reviews) indicated problems this company was having with processing and reporting of results. I thought issues would be fixed by the time I ordered and used the product. WRONG! Shame on Amazon and this company for continuing to sell this product knowing you won't get the results in the timeframe promised or maybe never. I bought three kits and dutifully followed all instructions and sent the samples as instructed. No results and now I'm out nearly $100. Don't make the same mistake I made because you will not get your results nor will you recover your hard earned money. I can't believe Amazon has not put a stop to it and refunded their loyal customers because of this scam.

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