soil test ?

[jbturf]

what are you guys usually testing for when you get them done?

ive had a troubled lawn for a few years now since installation
my normal tests for
cec, ph, macros, Om3, s-salts

has revealed nothing unusual for my area
customer had mentioned once that he saw some short term
improvement after a bolster app i made

so Im wondering if a micros test is in order?
or maybe i should experiment with some amendment applications(micros)

thanks for any input

[RigglePLC]

Be sure to look for excess shade and unusual diseases like stripe smut. Be sure to take a careful look for insects and disease. If no problems, then you might try a "tissue test". Like a soil test except they test the plant tissue itself. They can also test for nitrogen and all micros. If the minerals are present in the soil, but not available for some reason, it will be revealed. The lab will explain what the normal mineral ppm and ratios should be (at least for corn). Plant some seed in a sample of the soil inside in your office in a flower pot. See if it looks and grows normally.

[jbturf]

thanks for the reply,
this property is full sun, irrigation, no disease pressure at all the past couple
of years, turf is relatively thick and weed free, no insect pressure. mowing is ok not great by landscaper.
main complaint of customer, and i agree, is turf is very slow growing and pale to
almost yellowish in color.

i have not gathered and sent a tissue test in the past, maybe ill inquire about this,

what do you recommend for gathering the sample, size quantity locations ?
thanks

[RigglePLC]

Coud be you have a dwarf, rather yellow cultivar. Maybe something like Poa supina. The Europeans like their grass lighter green--customary. Check the roots--do they look healthy?
Contact a good analytical lab and discuss their sampling requirements, on the phone. They will send you sampling bags. They can test for nematodes also.
http://www.al-labs-west.com/sections/anservices

Good luck!

[jbturf]

i had couple years back suspected the turf species,
but about 2-3 three summers ago we had a hot dry spell here
for several weeks, and coupled with some lousy mowing(short+dull blades)
and severe heat stressed turf, there was some clumping and thinning turf
out front, no surprise in a area with maybe 3" loam at best

anyrate, i reseeded the spot in fall with a quality blue/rye mix and it filled
in nicely, and guess what- looks identical to the rest of the existing turf now.

thanks for the input riggle , ill check in with the lab