by Janice Duffin, Delaware County Master Gardener
Anyone who has called the Delaware County Master Gardeners HortLine with a question about lawn care was probably asked this very question--and with good reason. A soil test is the only way to determine which nutrients are present in the soil and in what amounts, so you can determine whether the soil is over or under-fertilized. And, yes, you can over-fertilize, which can result in plant injury, poor use of existing nutrients in the soil and poor plant growth. Over-fertilizing also pollutes groundwater and is a waste of money.
The soil test will also tell you the pH of the soil, which is simply an indicator of the soil acidity or alkalinity. You need this information to determine whether your soil needs to be amended with lime. If the pH is too high or too low, plants cannot use the nutrients in the soil. No matter how much fertilizer you apply, it doesn’t do much good if the plants can’t use it. It’s surprising how many grass seed suppliers suggest that an application of lime be applied prior to seeding in the absence of a soil test. Don’t do it. Get a soil test first and follow the recommendations from the Penn State Lab regarding lime application.
You don’t need to hire a professional lawn service to have your soil tested. Soil test kits come with complete directions and are easy to do. Simply take soil samples from the area of concern, mail it to Penn State Labs, and you’ll receive a report in a few weeks or less. Kits are available at the Delaware County Extension Office in Smedley Park for $9.00 each--and that’s a bargain. Skeptical? Call around and see how much your local landscaper charges. See you in the office!
Do you have a gardening question? In Delaware County, call our Master Gardeners hortline at 610-690-2671 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM-12 NOON.
UPCOMING MASTER GARDENERS EVENTS
April 26, 2008
Arbor Day Celebration
Join us at Smedley Park for an afternoon of educational activities for children that are designed to stimulate interest in trees and the environment. We'll provide hands-on experience in planting trees. Contact Elsie Mueller at 610-626-7210 or email for more information.
May 10, 2008
Invasive Plants
Learn to recognize and control plants that have been introduced to the USA and are now taking over our landscapes. We'll suggest alternative native plants to use in place of those aggressive invasives. Cost: $10
Registration required for all events except Arbor Day. Please call 610-690-2655 for more information or visit our website for a registration form.
