Soil Testing

January 1, 2020
Blog, Services
  • Soil Testing

Soil Testing

William-Edwards-Deming-QuoteThe key to a beautiful lawn is having a healthy, well balanced soil that supports a thick and strong turf stand. Omaha Organics will start with an advanced soil test that will measure the chemical structure of the soil. Healthy grass begins with healthy soil. Healthy soil has a proper nutrient balance consisting Major Macronutrients, Minor Macronutrients, Secondary Nutrients, and Micronutrients. The test will measure organic matter, pH levels, calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sodium, excess lime rates, sulfur, zinc, manganese, iron, copper, and boron in the soil.

The soil test gives a snapshot of the present state of the soil and serves as a tool to measure the progress as soil structure improves. The soil test provides the data needed to make recommendations for proper fertilizer applications and additional soil amendments, insights to correct deficiencies in low and under performing lawns and allows us to make recommendations for your specific lawn. Soil testing also provides us with the information needed to make educated recommendations on which soil amendments would benefit your lawn saving you time and money in the long run.Soil-Testing-vert

Benefits of Soil Testing

  • They are easy to do
  • Saves money in the long run
  • Effective way to control weeds, insects and disease without using pesticides
  • Track your progress if and when you retest
  • Identify the problem and better yet, provide you with the solution
  • Not all soil is created equal, even from one neighbor to another
  • Stop guessing with endless product pitches and promises
  • You want thick and healthy turf

Visual Soil Testing

It is also necessary to check thatch levels, soil compaction and root depth at the time of soil testing. Thatch is the undecomposed or partially decomposed layer of living and dead grass stems, roots, rhizomes, stolons and other organic matter that is found between the soil surface and grass blades. Thatch provides a desirable environment for turf insects and diseases.  It also promotes shallow grass rooting by limiting root and rhizomes penetration into the soil.  In most cases it will not allow new grass seeds to have seed to soil contact for proper seed germination. Thatch levels also prevent fertilizers from reaching the soil.

Mulching or recycling, also known as “grasscycling”, your grass clippings and thatch are simply not connected; research has shown that grass roots are the primary cause of thatch, not grass clippings. Never bag your grass!

To have your soil tested in Omaha, Nebraska please contact Omaha Organics Lawn Care