Okay, I just got the results of my soil tests back.
Front yard: pH 6.4
Phosphorous 23
Potassium 131
Organic Matter 4.0%
Back yard pH 5.8
Phosphorous 27
Potassium 112
Organic Matter 3.2%
Recommendations: High nitrogen fertilizer 3-4x/year (1lb (actual nitrogen)/1000 sq ft)
No pH adjustment needed
Isn't a pH 0f 5.8 acidic and shouldn't lime be spread especially when there is a lot of moss in the back yard? If lime is to be spread, which kind is better -- powdered or pelletized?
Our county extension office does not have a horticulturist on staff and I spoke with a master gardener there and was very frustrated by the end of the conversation. While she acknowledged that organic practices and fertilizers were better for the environment, her advice to me was WEED and FEED! She said that if my lawn was 50% weeds (and it is in some areas) there was no way I could have a decent lawn without using chemical pesticides. Well, I haven't given in to that philosophy (yet). I found the Scott's Organic Choice and spread that this past weekend, put the mower deck up as high as it could go and have mowed twice already. There are SO many weeds. In the meantime while mowing high, water infrequently, etc, is there anything that I can do with the large section of creeping charlie (13'x19') and some kind of small light purple violet that is now starting to show up? Also in thinner areas, can I at least spread some compost and seed the areas to start incorporating the tall fescue in? Any thoughts would greatly appreciated. My lawn is the real eye sore in my neighborhood of the lawn cult.
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