How Do You Test Soil At Home For Growing Characteristics Of Grass?
The soil your lawn is planted in directly affects the health of your turf. For most grass types, your soil should have a pH level of between 6.5 and 7.0, which is slightly acidic. You’ll also want to make sure the soil has the right levels of calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen; information about these levels should be can be found in any good, comprehensive home test kit. So if your turf is looking less than its best, take a little time to test your garden soil and amend it, if necessary. Select a comprehensive soil home testing kit, available at gardening centers. The test should check for soil pH, as well as for of calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. Wash two buckets and a garden trowel in hot, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly. Dig five holes in your turf, spaced throughout, using the trowel. Each should measure about 3 inches deep. Slice off about 1/2 inch of soil along the side of one hole, using the garden trowel. Set this sample into a bucket.
