[bb88]

Thank you so much! I will!

As a counter, a soil test is likely totally unecessary, and all of the data may leave you unecessarily intimidated. Bermuda likes nitrogen. Kick off the growing season with a balanced fertilizer (13-13-13), then just go straight nitrogen (21-0-0).
I've never tested my soil and never plan to do so.

It doesn't need to be that complicated. mow, water, feed, spray weeds; mow, water, feed, spray weeds. Eventually the weeds will become scarce to none.

 

[FATC1TY]

I do not disagree with any of that at all. But he’s new to lawn care and thinking the lawn is going downhill and/or the company is messing up his lawn. my thought behind a soil test is it would eliminate the uncertainty his his mind… that knowledge goes a long way towards avoiding rabbit holes.

I personally think getting a soil test done for most, enda up sending everyone down a rabbit hole. 🤣

OP should stick to mowing, weed control, feed nitrogen and circle the wagons end of the summer and see where it landed. Knowing the pH is quite honestly pointless in the grand scheme of things. I don’t know mine at all, and I seem to be doing fine.


I do think down the road if trouble still continues where all the basic portions aren’t fixing, then you dig into the dirt and figure out why nothing is improving.

 

[FATC1TY]

As a counter, a soil test is likely totally unecessary, and all of the data may leave you unecessarily intimidated. Bermuda likes nitrogen. Kick off the growing season with a balanced fertilizer (13-13-13), then just go straight nitrogen (21-0-0).
I've never tested my soil and never plan to do so.

It doesn't need to be that complicated. mow, water, feed, spray weeds; mow, water, feed, spray weeds. Eventually the weeds will become scarce to none.

Agreed, when people ask how do you get your lawn to look like that, they expect it to be some complicated or expensive product or service. Lawn care only needs to be as complicated as you want it.


I don’t even bother calculating GDD for PGR apps anymore. Just watch your clippings and use an educated guess.

 

[bb88]

I don’t even bother calculating GDD for PGR apps anymore. Just watch your clippings and use an educated guess.

I agree with this too. In the summer down here, surprise, it's consistently hot. GDD doesn't differ enough for it to matter.

 

[jonny5]

Yeah I think if you dont want to DIY, then just find a better lawn company. Someone like Massey which is a big corporation with local franchises may or may not be good. Shop around for a smaller more local company, specifically who is more organic if you want.

 

[CLT49er]

that’s a pretty good suggestion. I still think getting a soil test now is also a good idea. knowing soil pH is valuable if your lawn isn’t responding the way you want. you can share test results with your company and let them make any adjustments to the NPK ratio if needed.

Yep. Youre right. Good for PH testing now. Be a little wary on P and K readouts right now since fert is actively getting applied. Best tested during winter when no apps have been applied.

 

[Redtwin]

I get it that the weather is pretty consistent this time of year for most of us but I always still want to know where I stand regarding GDD. It is totally possible to push growth through regulation by applying nitrogen. So if you are fertilizing your lawn, you really should know the GDD. The only real way to mess up your grass with PGR is by repeatedly reapplying when the previous application has not worn off. You could see an increase in growth from nitrogen and think the PGR is wearing off when you are actually in the middle of your regulation cycle.

 

[Roscoe P Coltrane]

Yep. Youre right. Good for PH testing now. Be a little wary on P and K readouts right now since fert is actively getting applied. Best tested during winter when no apps have been applied.

For what it may be worth to @toasty, my first ever soil test is attached. some people may tell you it’s not necessary, but you should at least baseline it once. I think you’re in GA. GA extension charges $8 for a soil test. If you’re already paying for a lawn company, I’d say it’s worth it just for knowing there is nothing else that needs to be fixed. I found out my pH was horrible, and my K was even worse. but pH is kind of important.

EDIT: the point I’m trying to make is not to scare you into action or inaction. your soil will probably be just fine as others have said. but why not spend $8 to be sure there’s no unpleasant surprises?

 

[toasty]

Y’all, thank you so much for all of the advice/recommendations! I’ve taken the last several days to think over it all and have decided for the short term to bring in a small, local company to help us get on track while I learn more about the chemistry side of lawn care. I am taking over mowing and maintenance and don’t want to overwhelm myself. We’ve had a company who comes once a week to mow. I mow in between, but think we could save some money if I take it over myself. I’m really looking forward to learning more as I take great pride in our home and being able to take care of it.

With that in mind, what are the best threads/resources for beginners to dive into? Additionally, should I still get my own soil test or have the local company we hire do one?

Thank you!!

 

[Katodude]

Read this:

https://www.thelawnforum.com/threads/bermuda-bible-the-new-testament.1651/?post_id=30491#post-30491

 

[Katodude]

Also until you have an issue you cannot specifically diagnose I would forgo a soil test. Let’s see what your grass looks like in a couple of months and then we can determine next steps.

Right now focus on mowing, and if your service cant kill the weeds we can give you advice on that.

 

[bb88]

Also until you have an issue you cannot specifically diagnose I would forgo a soil test. Let’s see what your grass looks like in a couple of months and then we can determine next steps.

Right now focus on mowing, and if your service cant kill the weeds we can give you advice on that.

I second this regarding the soil test.

 

[toasty]

Thank you guys so much!

 

[jonny5]

Y’all, thank you so much for all of the advice/recommendations! I’ve taken the last several days to think over it all and have decided for the short term to bring in a small, local company to help us get on track while I learn more about the chemistry side of lawn care. I am taking over mowing and maintenance and don’t want to overwhelm myself. We’ve had a company who comes once a week to mow. I mow in between, but think we could save some money if I take it over myself. I’m really looking forward to learning more as I take great pride in our home and being able to take care of it.

With that in mind, what are the best threads/resources for beginners to dive into? Additionally, should I still get my own soil test or have the local company we hire do one?

Thank you!!

Ideally if they are really going to care about your grass they will want to do a soil test to figure out if it needs anything, if theres any significant problems. Doesnt hurt to ask. Youre paying them so they should be willing to tell you what they are doing, what problems they are solving, and how.