What does my soil need to grow the best grass and plants?

Why spend lots of money on fertilizer your soil does not need?

Plants, including grass, need 17 components to be healthy, but the following seven are considered to be the most important to have in your soil.

• pH - Soil pH is the factor which determines whether or not plants are able to consume nutrients. If the pH is too high or too low, nutrients in the soil cannot be absorbed by the plants. Thus fertilizer goes to waste, and your plants starve to death. Most plants like a pH of around 6.5 – 6.8, but this fluctuates for different plants. For example azaleas and rhododendrons like a more acidic soil closer to 5.5 or 6.0. Check to see what pH the plants in your yard prefer.
• Nitrogen - Adequate nitrogen produces luxuriant growth of stalks, stems, leaves, and grasses. Excessive nitrogen causes too rapid growth that result in softness of tissue and general plant weakness. Plants suffering from nitrogen deficiency can have yellowing leave, and are more susceptible to disease, infection and injury.
• Phosphorus - Phosphorus gives plants a rapid start, stimulates root formation, hastens maturation, and aids blooming and seed formation. Phosphorus is sometimes lacking in soils that are outside of the standard pH range of 6.5 – 6.8.
• Potassium (Potash) - Proper amounts of potash stimulate early root or tuber formation which is essential for root vegetables and tuberous flowers. Excessive potash reduces a plant's resistance to droughts and frost injury and delays plant maturity.
• Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Sulfur (S). There are usually enough of these nutrients in the soil so adding them is not always needed. Also, large amounts of Calcium and Magnesium are added when lime is applied to acidic soils. Sulfur is usually found in sufficient amounts from the slow decomposition of soil organic matter, an important reason for not throwing out grass clippings and leaves.

A soil test will tell you which of these nutrients your soil needs or does not need. A soil test is simple to gather and inexpensive to analyze. It only costs about $20 for a basic test. See below for how to collect a sample and where to get it analyzed.

How to Gather a Soil Sample
Gather soil samples from 10 random areas using a clean instrument such as a soil sampler, trowel, or shovel. Avoiding border areas such as near roads, compost or brush piles, or under eaves. Place the sample in a clean pail or container and mix them thoroughly, then submit the combined sample.

Test results are sensitive to external factors, so avoid getting anything into the sample or touching it with your hands. Samples should be taken when most plants in that area are not taking up nutrients in the soil. The best time is October and November so you can be ready in the spring to implement any recommended actions.

How to Collect a Soil Sample for Analysis (YouTube Video) 

How deep should you dig for a soil sample?

• Established lawns—2-4 inches
• Vegetable or flower gardens—6-8 inches
• Trees and shrubs—6 inches

Soil samples are processes and analyzed at specific laboratories. The results are then mailed back to you and include a brief description of the results and recommendations.

The follow organizations collect and process samples in this area.

• Cuyahoga SWCD
• Lake SWCD
• OSU Extension Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Laboratory

  More information on using the results can be found from:

• Interpreting a Soil Test for Lawns, OSU Extension Fact Sheet
• A Virginian’s Year-Round Guide to Yard Care (Still useful even if focused on Virginia)

Once you know the condition of your soil and what it may need to stay healthy, it is time to look at your landscaping and plant choices.

Support for this section provided by Lake Erie Protection Fund and Chagrin River Watershed Partners.