If you’d like personalized recommendations for soil amendments and lawncare treatments, a soil test is the perfect place to start.
We do sell DIY tests in the store that work well for pH readings. If you want to know more about your soil than pH, we’ll recommend an in-depth analysis.
What is an In-Depth Soil Analysis?
When you have an in-depth analysis done, we send the sample to the Webster County Extension Center for testing. You’ll get results for macronutrients like Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Nitrogen, and Magnesium, as well as soil pH and % organic matter. These tests can give you the info you need to properly apply soil amendments for successful gardens, fruit production, flowers, and lawns.
Here’s how to take your soil sample at home.
- Use a small shovel or soil probe (hollow tube) to remove a sample to down to a depth of 3”.
- Take up to 12 core samples from random and sporadic areas of the lawn or target area.
- Remove all organic material such as thatch, leaves, grass, roots etc.
- Break up and combine all the cores, mix thoroughly in a plastic bucket (not metal as this may contaminate the sample with added micronutrients). May need to complete this step after air drying.
- Air dry the soil by spreading out over newspaper overnight.
- Place soil in plastic zip lock bag and drop off to Grass Roots Garden Center. Be sure to label with name and contact info.
- Soil samples will take 2-3 weeks for analysis, we will contact you when the results are returned. When you come to pick up your results we will go over the personal analysis and make suggestions based on the tests. At this time we will provide the paper copy of the results for your records and we will keep it on file as well.
- Please call with any questions, happy digging!
Our DIY Fertilizing program may be just what you need if you’re looking to enhance your lawn. Don’t want to do it yourself? Have our team at Custom Creations take care of it for you!
