Learning Fertilization

[guntruck]

This year i would like to get involved in the fertilization of lawns along with my mowing. Is this very difficult to learn or no? I was told if i do soil tests (making a small profit on that and providing an excellent individualized service) that the results from Lesco would provide information on what type and mix of fertilizer to use along with the lime app. I am a novice on this, no hiding that, but is it safe to offer this service depending on the soil test results?

Thanks
Rich

[kutnkru]

Full Service is the way to fly!!!

Once you have become licensed thru your State to apply chemicals to turf and ornamentals, you are on your way to a rather healthy profit for a marginal amount of work, but alot of walking.

Kelway has a soil tester for approx. $90 that you can test right on site. You can incorporate a section for "evaluating" these results right on your proposal forms.

We use heavy rate lime in our area because we are almost always acidic (over 7.2). We use drop spreaders for pulverized lime in the spring and broadcast spreaders for granular in the fall.

I have a formula that may help you structure your costs.

Hope this helps.
Kris

[KirbysLawn]

Easy to learn, search here or hang out at Lesco. As for offering the service, works for me.

I would say read the soil test post I did but so many post have been deleted it makes little since now.

Ray

[Toddppm]

Kutnkru
That would be an alkaline reading, adding lime would just make it worse?

[Island Lawn]

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong!
Lime is nuetral (7.0).
It acts as a buffer for both acid and alkaline soils.
It also adds vital magnesium and calcium.

[guntruck]

As far as liscencing i looke up Marylands laws for this and had trouble finding anything. Does anyone know where to look? A pesticide liscence would do the trick or no?

Thanks

[kutnkru]

Is Maryland far enough south to use sulfur the way we do lime to adjust the soils?

Kris

[Craig Turf Management]

I'm relatively new to the business,just starting my third year. I always use the Lesco soil test. It is very thorough, and the folks at your local dealer will help you develop a fert plan based on the soil test results. Their advice has served me well.

[Toddppm]

I don't know what the PH of lime is , if it's neutral i guess it might bring it down, but from what i've read you would use sulphur to reduce high ph. Never had an alkaline reading so i don't know but 7.2 is alkaline and only slightly wouldn't normally need an adjustment?

[Runner]

Rich, Contact your State Dept. of Agriculture and they will assist you with the info you need about certification, necessary insurances, and licensing. Also, your local Cooperative Extension Agency can assist you on where you can take classes and test for your certification.

[HOMER]

Maybe I can help?????????

Soils are known as sweet if they are alkaline sour if they are acid. Values of ph 7 indicate a neutral soil, above ph7 is alkaline, below ph 7 is an acid soil.

You can make an acid soil more alkaline by adding lime. Slightly acid soils can be made more acid by adding pete, iron sulphate or flowers of sulphur.

The soil in a lawn should be between ph6 and ph6.75. Grasses are not generally lime lovers and you don't want the weeds and worms that lime encourages. On established lawns do not add lime unless the ph is low.

[KirbysLawn]

Oh boy....this debate sounds familiar....

[Twotoros]

Dept of ag does all the licencing. It is 170$ a year after you pass the test to stay licenced . I just got my study manual at the extension office at my county courthouse for a small fee . I believe if you get at least 70% on the test you get your papers.

[kmcutters]

I am very new to this also.I have'nt started a biz in lawn care yet but when I do I want to be full service.I have been doing some searches on the web on pest control and pest control test.I will post a link below on a site I found.It seems to have alot of info there but, it is not from my state (Southern Michigan).Anyone know of any sites on this from my area that could help me out?


Thanks,kmcutters

http://pested.unl.edu/training.htm
http://pested.unl.edu/catmans/o&t.skp/o&tcont.htm

[guntruck]

So for the bottom line if i get my liscencing and all i shouyld be ok by doing soil tests from Lesco and them helping with fert plan for individual results? I never dealt with them.

Thanks to everyone for there help!!

Rich

[Dennis]

Island
I don't want to say you are wrong,,,,but
Lime raises a low PH this is it's only function
sulfur will lower it
the natural way to lower PH is to use oak leaves or pinestraw mulched..

[Vandora Lawn & Landscape]

Rich,

I did the checking around. You don't need a license to apply fert in Maryland. However, for the pesticide side call the MDA and ask them to send you a info packet about courses to take. I'm pretty sure they are offered at CC of Dundalk.

[Twotoros]

No licence needed in Wa. either for fert. only.

[Acute Cut]

Twotoros:
I would be interested in knowing where you found that info for washington. I was under the idea that you had to have a liscense for that too. I was told that and never checked. I would be interested in knowing though. Thanks.

Acute Cut
Bellingham, WA

[Mr.Ziffel]

Hey 2Toros and Junior, Check this web site for info:

http://www.picol.cahe.wsu.edu/

It's the WSU pesticide information center. I didn't look up the answer because I'm going to take the class in March anyway. Will

PS: Junior, thanks for the heads up on Josh in Ferndale. He's a great guy and a great source of info--I'm not sure if we're going to be able to do business, but I was quite impressed with his knowledge and professionalism.

[Acute Cut]

Glad to be of service Mr. Z. I think the same thing actually. If you ever get up this way stop in and say hi to the whole family. They are all wonderful.

[John DiMartino]

I think the ph should be slighlt acidic,to aid in the breakdown of clipping,and debris anyway,ours is around 6.1-6.3 usually.

[Sammy]

kmcutters, Here is what you are looking for.

http://www.pested.msu.edu/

[kmcutters]

Sammy,


Thank you very much.That is what I was looking for.




Thanks,
kmcutters

[Twotoros]

Acutecut, I was told that by the local Wilbur-ellis dealer and have been buying fertilizer only from them for five years. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't do that if it was it was against the rules.

[Skookum]

Here in Indiana, you do not need a license to use granular fertilizer, only tank mixed fertilizer. Of course you also need a applicators license for pesticide app's if you are trying to use granular fertilizer plus a control pesticide of some sort.

[jaclawn]

Guntruck- Just don't get the idea that if you take a Lesco soil test, that you will have a "prescription" on exactly what to do. You will have to interpert and then apply that soil test to the individual lawn. A soil test will not tell you directly about weeds, disease or insect problems either. You need a little agronomic knowledge to apply what the soil test tells you.

[Acute Cut]

Now seems like the appropriate time to mention the PLCAA. I am still checking into it. Check out the site. PLCAA.org.

Go to the certification for lawn guys. It appears to have everything i am needing in this area. Have any of ya'll taken the course?

I would be curious to know.
Acute Cut

[Island Lawn]

I am planning to take the PLCAA course ASAP!

Check out the thread titled Education.
I tried to copy/paste the address...
Guess I'll stick to cutting grass!

[guntruck]

Hey Acute Cut i guess you must be a member to access that site eh?

[Acute Cut]

Not a member yet. Will be in april of so. (After the $$$ come in to pay for it)

Click on certification in the menues list on the left.
Then click the top of the two certifications. It will tell you what it is all about.

It SEEMS to be exactly what this company needs to get "un-scrubed"

Acute Cut