It's the soil, silly!

The beginning of any diagnosis is gathering data. For turf and ornamentals this data gathering is an attempt to get to the root of the problems (pardon the pun). Different plants have different needs and requirements to thrive and maintain vigor. Unfortunately, this step is often bypassed and instead soil health is left to guesswork. Major items such as pH of the soil are often neglected and as a result some of the fertilizer applied is not usable or even available to the plants. Simple items such as frequency and volume of watering are left to speculation, and the frustration grows as assumptions and conjecture grow concerning the health of the turf or landscape.

The first things to investigate regarding the health of turf and ornamentals are the soil test and the condition of the soil (mainly compaction). Soil tests give very important data that is available nowhere else. The main difficulty with soil tests is the requirement of trusted interpretation, from knowledgeable technicians who are familiar with soil health. Without this deciphering of the data, a soil test is reduced to digits on a page and completely useless.

Compaction is relatively easy, as soil must be regularly disturbed in order to reduce compaction. If this has not been performed within the past 12 months, it is always recommended to do so, either by mechanical or hydraulic aeration. Mechanical aeration is the standard for turf soil aeration and is performed by removing plugs of soil and returning them to the surface. Mechanical aeration on turf adds the benefit of thatch layer maintenance. The thatch layer is comprised of living and dead grass tissue that is often mistaken for grass clippings. Ignoring maintenance on the thatch layer increases risks of fungal infections and disease. Dethatching is another method that can be used to return turf that is overrun by thatch to a maintainable level. Unfortunately, dethatching is extremely stressful to turf and should only be performed when necessary. Grass tends to produce more thatch, as nitrogen applications increase, and certain species of grass are more prone to thatch production than others. Kentucky Bluegrass, commonly used in turfgrass, is extremely susceptible to thatch blooms. Hydraulic aeration pumps water into the ground around plant material displacing soil, as the water dissipates voids remain, thereby aerating the soil. Compaction inhibits root development, effects nutrient uptake, suffocates the root system, and relieving this compaction is the absolute most important step before any fertilizer products are used.



Soil tests give the data to accurately apply and select products for soil amendment and fertilization purposes. The Green Advantage recommends testing every 3 years, in difficult situations, more frequent testing may be necessary, but never less than every 3 years. Many factors affect soil composition, which can change over time, other times it may seem to change quite suddenly. When changes do seem to appear suddenly, more often than not changes were happening slowly and finally hit a threshold for the plant medium.  Depending on the size and condition of the site, multiple samples are often necessary (at least 3, front yard, back yard, and landscaping; more tests are necessary the larger the area and the more complex the conditions). 

The information contained in soil tests is indispensable. There is no way to determine the rate of certain micronutrients and soil amendments without this data. Soil fertility (the measurement of Phosphorus in the soil) would be left to suspicion and more often than not, fertility is ignored completely. Most fertilizers will not contain Phosphorus due to valid concerns about runoff. This does not mean soil doesn’t ever need Phosphorus. Newly seeded turf and new plantings are often in need of Phosphorus, in addition to when a soil test deems it necessary. It should also be applied in a responsible manner, to avoid any risks of runoff. Professionals are also trained to ensure proper metering and application rate, errors in which can injure and potentially kill plant material.

The other macro-nutrients (Nitrogen and Potassium) and other micro-nutrients (ei., calcium and magnesium) are indicated, and application rates are determined on this data. Of all these, the potential of Hydrogen (pH) is about the most important. Plants require a specific range of pH, and once outside that range, will decline and ultimately fail. Most landscape plants require slightly acidic soil, while most cold season turfgrasses require a neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Plants cannot utilize nutrients properly when there is an incorrect pH. This change may happen slowly, leading to decline in plant material. If the change exceeds a plants pH threshold, it fails. During the decline, multiple symptoms may be present which can lead to misdiagnosis without this information. This misdiagnosis can cost a lot and more often than not the plant material fails anyway.

Soil Tests can seem complicated, then what to do with the information once you have it. That’s where The Green Advantage team is here to help you. We take the samples, have them tested, and interpret them. We can make the adjustments, mechanically aerate the soil, keep the scheduling of applications (allowing us to remind you of long term treatments or testing), and make recommendations. 

At The Green Advantage, we strive for the best customer service by prioritizing clear and open communication and being responsive to our clients needs. We believe in building strong relations with our customers, ensuring they feel supported throughout the entire process from the soil testing to the application and service. Our team is always available to answer questions, provide updates and offer guidance, in fact we welcome them! Our main goal is to make sure every single one of our customers feels valued and informed. Your satisfaction is our biggest priority and we are committed to delivering exceptional service every step of the way.

We ARE local, We support OUR community, and We are here for YOU!!!