Why Testing Your Lawn’s Soil This Month Will Be the Key to Better Grass This Summer
It can save you from wasting money on the wrong fertilizer, too
If your lawn isn’t impressing as much as you’d like, the problem may be hiding underneath the surface. That is why lawn care professionals all recommend carrying out a lawn soil test in spring as the key to having a healthier summer lawn.
A luscious, green lawn is the result of careful attention. It needs the right balance of nutrients, thanks to healthy soil and the right pH level. If the nutrient levels aren’t right or the pH is too high or too low, issues can arise. That is why a lawn soil test reveals vital details and gives you the chance to rectify problems and adopt the right fertilizing approach.
Article continues below 
3 Benefits to a Lawn Soil Test
Lawn care experts all recommend getting your soil tested for the following reasons:
It Shows Nutrient Deficiencies
A lawn soil test gives you a great overall indication of your soil health and the levels of essential plant nutrients in the ground. For a lush, green lawn, it needs a balance of the vital macronutrients of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as micronutrients, such as iron, magnesium, calcium, and more.
The lawn soil test will show you which nutrients are lacking and which are in excess. As a lawn requires a specific balance, this information is crucial to any aspirations for a healthy lawn that can withstand the rigors of summer.
‘Soil testing can help prep your lawn for summer by showing you exactly what nutrients your soil is missing, says Jason McCausland, Technical Coordinator at Weed Man. ‘This lets you apply the right fertilizer and amendments before summer stress, leading to stronger roots, better drought tolerance, and healthier growth during heat.’
A plan to boost soil nutrients can be put in place using this information, which leads to a beautiful, healthy lawn to enjoy in summer.
Jason is a Technical Coordinator at Weed Man. For more than 25 years, he has been an integral member of the Weed Man family and the green industry.
It Tells You Your Soil pH
Testing the pH of soil can make a difference to how your lawn looks in the summer. As John Gualtiere, President at Hudson Landscape Contractors, says: ‘A lot of summer lawn issues are due to pH levels that are too high or low.’
This is because soil pH directly impacts how efficiently your grass absorbs nutrients. If the pH is off, the roots won’t take in the nutrients as well, even after you fertilize a lawn.
A typical lawn wants a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.0. At this ideal level, the grass can take in all the nutrients it needs to grow strong and healthy.
It is when the pH gets outside of this range that issues can arise. Whether too acidic or alkaline, certain nutrients are ‘locked up’ and the lawn cannot absorb the nutrients. This can lead to a yellowing lawn, bare patches, increased susceptibility to diseases and pests, or weeds taking over due to weak grass.
There are ways to raise or lower the pH highlighted during a lawn soil test so your lawn can access all the nutrients it needs. For example, you can make soil more acidic by adding sulfur or iron sulfate (you can get iron sulfate at Amazon), or make it more alkaline by adding lime.
It Helps You Tailor Your Lawn Care
With the findings of a lawn soil test in hand, you can adopt a tailored approach to your spring lawn care. There is no point in wasting money on products that your lawn doesn’t need when you fertilize your lawn in spring.
‘Soil testing is really important so that you know what's going on with your soil, so you know what to actually apply,’ advises Matt Cline of HillSide Lawn Service. ’Without knowing what your pH is, without knowing what your macro and secondary nutrient levels are, it makes it really difficult to get an effective lawn care program.’
A more targeted approach ensures you supplement any missing nutrients so your lawn gets all it needs to grow strongly, is more resilient, and looks its best for the summer.
It also reduces the likelihood of over-fertilizing a lawn, which can leave patches due to fertilizer burn and make the grass susceptible to pests and diseases. Excess nutrients can also run off into the environment or groundwater, and a tailored approach stops unnecessary applications of fertilizer from troubling the local environment.
Matt Cline is COO of HillSide Lawn Service. Since 1994, HillSide Lawn Service has offered expert lawn care, including aeration and over-seeding and tree and shrub care. With a focus on sustainable, science-based methods and personalized service, HillSide is the trusted source for creating green, healthy lawns throughout Maryland, Delaware and parts of Pennsylvania.
How Often Should You Do a Lawn Soil Test?
You don’t need to do a lawn soil test every year. However, if you have long-term issues and want to conduct regular checks to get on top of the problem, or need to track improvements year-on-year, regular checks can be beneficial.
In most cases, a test every few years is sufficient for a healthy balance and a happy lawn. Mike Goatley, Virginia Cooperative Extension turfgrass specialist, says: ‘The first thing to do for top-notch turf is get a soil test done.’
‘If you haven’t performed a soil test on your lawn within the last three years, we recommend you have your soil tested,’ he adds.
You can do a lawn soil test at any time of year, but it is advisable to wait at least three months after applying lime, fertilizer, or organic matter (such as compost or manure) for conclusive results.
Early spring is an ideal time to do a lawn soil test, as it provides you with vital information to make amendments and tailor your spring fertilizing to give strong results come summer.
Michael Goatley is Virginia Tech's Turfgrass Extension Specialist in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences. He previously served on the faculty of the Plant and Soil Sciences Department of Mississippi State for 15 years. His current responsibilities include developing turfgrass management outreach programs and research across the state.
How to Test Your Lawn Soil
There are different testing methods to pick from, ranging from at-home test kits to sending samples to a soil-testing laboratory. For a conclusive test, you want to collect soil samples, each four inches deep, from 6-8 different areas of your lawn and mix them in a bucket ready for testing.
Each state in the US has an agricultural extension service, usually tied to a university, to which you can send soil samples for analysis. This option offers detailed results and often costs between $10 and $30. Check your local extension offices to find out more about services and costs.
There are commercial companies that offer laboratory analysis tests. Just like with the extension officer, you mail in soil samples and get in-depth results. This MySoil soil test kit, available at Amazon, is an example of such services. It measures 13 nutrient levels and soil pH, and gives you tailored recommendations.
The most basic option is home test kits, which offer quicker, but less accurate results. A test like this Rapitest soil test kit, also available at Amazon, gives you an indication of the nutrients and pH levels, and is suitable for beginners. However, they are not as thorough or reliable as laboratory results.
Shop Spring Lawn Fertilizers
A multi-purpose product to use in the spring. It contains grass seed to fill gaps, fertilizer for thicker, greener turf, and soil improver to enhance root development.
A spring booster for use on both cool and warm season grasses. It has an NPK of 8-0-0 and produces a deep green lawn. The product is approved for organic gardening.
An all-purpose lawn food suitable for all grass types. It greens the lawn and provides nutrients for up to three months. One bag covers up to 8,000 square feet.
March is traditionally when many gardeners start cutting the lawn again after winter. Once the frosts have passed and the temperatures warm in early spring, the grass starts to grow again for the new season.
This often means it is due for a first cut to keep it neat. The key is to set the mower height high on spring lawns and avoid removing more than a third of the grass blades.
And if you love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news, why not sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox?
