I've had a healthy green lawn for many years but now it's not right. I have fertilized like always but for some reason, the grass isn't growing. We've had plenty of rain but I don't think there is any fungus. One of my neighbors asked if I have checked my PH and I don't think that has ever been considered. Before I do anything I figured it would be best to find out if this is something I need to learn about. What can you tell me about the soil PH?
There is a lot we can tell you about soil ph but it would be best if you take a little time to read our SOIL PH article which summarizes most everything you need to know. The bottom line is you need to check this measurement at least twice a year and adjust it as needed. Before we recommend anything else, it's vital you get your lawn measured with a SOIL METER to see if it's Ok. From there we'll be able to further advise.
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I had a bad problem with a low ph this spring and want to monitor this level myself. Do you have a ph meter that I can get which does this or do they even make one?
We have a LAWN PH METER that's both easy to use and inexpensive. It's very handy and a "must have" for anyone that's serious about keeping their grass green and healthy. And if you run into another ph problem at any time, be sure to refer to our on line article about SOIL PH ADJUSTMENTS which explains most everything you'll need to know about how to get your soil in good shape to help it grown great grass.
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My ph is too high and I've been having a problem with this over the years. I'm not sure why but the last time I had to drop it I had a landscaper do the treatment. I want to do this myself this time. What options do I have?
Soil PH balance is critical if you wish to grow grass, plants and other vegetation. Though most people have problems with it dropping, there are times when it can get too high. The first step you need to take when wanting to maintain your soils PH is to invest in a good Soil PH Test Meter. This will enable you to track trends and make adjustments throughout the year as explained in our Soil PH Control article.
Once you have a good understanding of where your soil is measuring and are ready to treat, apply the Sulfur Granules as explained in our article. They'll drop the PH and can be applied as needed.
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I need to adjust the soil ph for my lawn. It was just tested and was measured at under 6.0. I know that's too acidic so I want to bring it up with some lime but I'm wondering how much I need to use?
As explained in our Soil PH Adjustment article, you can raise the local PH with some Liquid Lime. Each gallon of concentrate can effectively raise the PH .5-1.0 per 17,500 sq/ft. Test weekly following the application and if it's not high enough in one month, apply some more. In most cases, the impact from the application can be seen in 2-3 weeks but wait a month just to be sure. Use a lot of water to apply the Lime. The more water used the faster the impact the treatment will have.
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I want to start testing the ph level for the soil in my lawn. I've had a hard time keeping it stable which has lead to all kinds of turf problems over the years. I hope that by watching it more closely I can stop the fungus and weed problems before they get out of hand. Do you have a good soil testing meter we can use?
Testing the PH level of your soil is paramount if you wish to keep it in "good shape". Maintaining a proper balance will allow you to get the desired look as well as hold off fungus and insects from preying on the turfs weakened condition an improper PH promotes. Our Soil PH Meter is both easy to read and use and I suggest you take measurements at least once a quarter if you're grass has a had a history of PH flucuations. Stable yards should be monitored at least once every 6 months and adjusted annually if needed; soil which is under pressure from the local environment as explained in our Soil Ph Article may need to be adjusted throughout the growing season.
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I'm looking for an inexpensive soil ph meter so I can test the ph in the soil around my house. Can you help?
We have a great portable Soil Ph Meter that is fast, accurate and easy to use. It also measures "available light" as well as the soil moisture level. This tool is vital if you wish to monitor the Ph level of the turf around the house and when maintained right, will enable you to grow grass, plants and most anything. We have more information about ph maintenance on line in our Soil Ph Article.
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My soil ph is 5.5 when I measure it with my ph meter. The problem is we're into spring and I need to get it back up over 6.5 as soon as possible since the temperatures are getting quite warm. I know lime pellets take a month or so to work their way into the ground. Any ideas on what I can use to get it back up faster?
As our on line article about Soil PH explains, it does take some time to get the local PH to shift any measureable degree. And lime pellets do take quite a while since they first must be washed in. For faster results, apply some Liquid Lime where needed. Since it's applied with water, the impact of the treatment is immediate. Measure the PH weekly following your application and apply some more 3-4 weeks if needed.
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I'm having my lawn soil ph measured and expect it will be a bit low. How frequently should I worry about measuring this level?
We recommend taking a good measurement at least once a quarter as explained in our Soil Ph Article. Record your measurements so you can track any trends. In most cases, you should be able to notice the PH moves over the course of 6-24 months for the average lawn. Once you know what to expect from your turf, you can then plan for when you'll need to make some seasonal applications to help keep it where it needs to be. Since measuring the PH will be ongoing, get yourself a good PH Probe. Record your findings in a log somewhere so you can see if you're soil is subject to any great flucuations.
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My lawn ph is terribly low! I just measured it and the meter is saying it's only slightly above 5.0. I know this seems really low and I'm sure this is why I'm having such a problem getting my Fescue to grow. But right now it's late spring and I don't know how to get the PH up in a hurry. What can I apply that will be fast working? I don't think my fertilizer is working at all and from what I've read, the ph might be at fault. What do you suggest?
First, stop applying fertilizer or fungicide or anything else for now. It's imperative that the PH gets up to at least a 6.0 before anything else is applied as explained in our Soil PH article. When you get a reading that's low and it's during the growing season, the use of Liquid Lime should be considered. It's fast acting and easy to apply. Most importantly, you should be able to get the PH to move up in a short amount of time. Once you get it up to over 6.0, be sure to keep watching it closely by measuring it monthly. This way you'll be able to see any movement and make adjustments as needed. Remember, anything under a 6.0 is usually bad and once the soil is down around a 5.0, it's almost impossible for the turf to utilize food properly. At this point it's hard to say if this is the only problem your soil might have but until you get it back up over 5.0, we won't be able to tell. Start applying the liquid lime right away and once you get it up over 6.0, let us know and we'll advise you on fertilizer, fungicide, etc.
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I'm pretty sure my soil ph is on the low side. I've had it tested in the past but the local nursery wants me to bring them soil for the test. Is there anyway I can test the soil here at my house without going through all this effort?
Testing your lawn soil ph should be done at least twice a year. Since the ph is always changing, it's important that you monitor it's measurement so you can make adjustments when needed. If the soil ph rises above 7.0 or below 6.0, you'll start to have ramifications. Fortunately being able to get a soil measurement has never been easier. The newest Soil Test Probes enable you to get fairly accurate readings from your lawn and garden instantly. We recommend you measure your lawn soil ph by taking measurements for every 200 sq/ft. You should do this at least every 6 months; every quarter if the soil has a history of changing over time. More information about the importance of lawn ph levels can be found in our Soil PH article.
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