Where do I take it? What do I need to know?
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I need to take a soil sample
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Last: 3 days ago by war hymn aggie
Here you go! https://soiltesting.tamu.edu/soil-testing/
Link to PDF form that gives address to drop off (Agronomy Rd) https://soiltesting.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/05/urbansoil.pdf
This reminds me - I need to do this too.
Link to PDF form that gives address to drop off (Agronomy Rd) https://soiltesting.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/05/urbansoil.pdf
This reminds me - I need to do this too.
michellecan said:
Where do I take it? What do I need to know?
TIA
For what purpose? Building a slab, garden or crop growing, lawn health, pond construction?
Ya that's my question what are we looking for? Chemicals, nutrients, contaminants, compaction?
Feel free to PM me to discuss if you'd like.
Feel free to PM me to discuss if you'd like.
So sorry about lack of info. My front st augustine is always yellow and doesn't grow good at all. I have no idea what to do here. My home is 3 years old and the grass has always looked the same. The back seems to do better.
Add nitro-phos.
Most likely low soil nutrients
Most likely low soil nutrients
Do the soil testing. Take the result and a couple of photos from the growing season to the co-op and do whatever they say.
Or give the test result to ChatGPT, but you will probably still end up at the co-op.
Or give the test result to ChatGPT, but you will probably still end up at the co-op.
waterchick said:
Here you go! https://soiltesting.tamu.edu/soil-testing/
Link to PDF form that gives address to drop off (Agronomy Rd) https://soiltesting.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/05/.
This ^.
You can waste your time and money or trust the experts at Texas A&M.
Wash out a bucket, no residue. Use a clean shovel, no residue.
Randomly go around yard and collect a dozen or more samples. I cut a wedge out of grass & set it aside. Then use shovel to slice off a thin sample of the bare soil down to about 6". Put sample in bucket. Put wedge back.
Mix soil samples thoroughly. Fill sample bag ( about a pint container) and send to TAMU soil test lab.
You want several random samples versus one or two so you don't accidentally get a concentrated area with decomposed dog poop, etc skewing the test.
They will email the results. Post results on this page. Many TexAgs with knowledge & experience can help. Or ask your county Horticultural Agent or Ag Extension agent. They will be happy to advise & your taxes pay for it.
Lots of homes only have select fill as the base of their yards. So after a period of time the St. Augustine begins to yellow up and eventually die off unless you topdress with a good quality topsoil or incorporate some compost in the soil down to at least 8 inches before laying down the sod.
I normally use spent mushroom compost from Madisonville Mushrooms Farm for the enrichment of the soil for both St. Augustine and had good success with different varieties of Bermuda especially Celebration.
Biochar by Anderson is a good way to incorporate more carbon into the existing soil. After the mushroom compost breaks down further with some grass clippings and Dirt Booster + from Anderson, I topdress my yard with it or fill in dead spots and holes made by the dogs. Good stuff!
I normally use spent mushroom compost from Madisonville Mushrooms Farm for the enrichment of the soil for both St. Augustine and had good success with different varieties of Bermuda especially Celebration.
Biochar by Anderson is a good way to incorporate more carbon into the existing soil. After the mushroom compost breaks down further with some grass clippings and Dirt Booster + from Anderson, I topdress my yard with it or fill in dead spots and holes made by the dogs. Good stuff!
Soil could be hydrophobic as well
What's the best test to have run if just looking for fertilizer and "yard grass" type with no crop or grazing desire?
I've got some acreage with some barish spots I'd like to fill in with grass seed.
Planned on doing common Bermuda seed from Producers in a month or so.
I've got some acreage with some barish spots I'd like to fill in with grass seed.
Planned on doing common Bermuda seed from Producers in a month or so.
Routine soil test from TAMU is $12 per sample and (copied from the form linked above) "includes pH, NO3-N, Conductivity and Mehlich III P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, S, Boron. $20 includes all of that + micronutrients.
Many years ago the city partnered with the Master Gardener association on a community soil test program, and the results were analyzed by Dr. Tony Provin in the Soil and Crop Sciences department. I really need to do that again.
Many years ago the city partnered with the Master Gardener association on a community soil test program, and the results were analyzed by Dr. Tony Provin in the Soil and Crop Sciences department. I really need to do that again.
COOP in Bryan has a fertilizer made just for our local soils (3-1-2 ratio). I've used it for several years and it definitely helps green up my lawn. Tried to abstain from fertilizing one year and my lawn definitely looked worse. Broke down and ended up fertilizing it 2 months later than I usually do. Back to a deep green with just a few days.