Soil Management Practices

Mary Glass

Olivia Kittleson

Brenda Rogers

Julie Proksch

Tess Kelbaugh

*All fertilizer recommendations/calculations for SMU A and B are from Fertilizing Your Garden (EC 1503), and from Fertilizing Lawns (EC 1278), Calculating Fertilizer Application Rates (#233) for SMU C.

SMU A – Raised Shrub Bed Site Description:

  2ft above grade level   90 x 11ft   Slight berm up the center  Retaining rock wall   Evergreen and deciduous shrubs and trees   2” layer of mulch   South facing, runs east to west  Because of orientation and slope, appears to have no

water retention issues

SMU A

SMU A – Soil Description   Permeability - Low The higher percentages of silt and clay indicate a fine

textured soil which results in small pore sizes and a low rate of permeability.   Infiltration rate: 12.3” per hour   Silty clay/ silty clay loam

  13.3% sand   46.6% silt   40% clay

  Consistency: Broke apart under firm pressure into crumbly chunks

SMU A – Soil Description cont’d

10YR 4/3

SMU A – Soil Test Results

Sand 13%

Silt 47%

Clay 40%

Sand Silt Clay

Soil texture: Silty clay / silty clay loam

Humus: 3 (Medium, for garden/greenhouse soils)

pH: 5.96, it is appropriate for the ornamental shrub bed

Nutrient Results (ppm)

20 12.5

150

10

25

140

30

75

130

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K)

SMU A SMU B SMU C

Nutrient Results (meq) – Cont’d

7

0.21

7

0.08

14

0.21 0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Calcium (Ca) Magnesium (Mg)

SMU A SMU B SMU C

SMU A Fertilization Recommendations

Lime Recommendation:

The pH level is appropriate for this type of bed; No amendments are necessary

Fertilizer Recommendation:

Since the soil tests results for: Phosphorus were less than 25 ppm Potassium were less than 300 ppm

A 15-15-15 fertilizer at a rate of 2 lb/100 sq ft could be applied to this bed.

According to the following equation: 1,050 sq ft /100 * 2 = 21 lb of 15-15-15 fertilizer could be applied to this bed.

Organic Fertilizer:

If an organic fertilizer is desired, then it is recommended that 42 lb of a 7-3-2 fertilizer be applied to this bed.

Application: Sidedress the fertilizer close to the base of the plant materials, making sure that fertilizer granules do not land on leaves of shrubs or trees. Scratch the fertilizer into the top 2” of the soil carefully so roots are not damaged. Apply irrigation after fertilizing so that plants can absorb nutrients.

Schedule: Apply fertilizer as recommended above in early spring.

SMU A Soil Management Recommendations

The level of humus for this soil is at acceptable level. However, it is always beneficial to add mulch and organic matter to a planting bed. It is recommended that 2” of compost be added to this bed in late spring/early summer to prevent moisture loss, regulate summer temperature and prevent erosion.

The fine texture of the soil indicates that the soil is able to hold nutrients well, but that it might have low permeability. Adding a layer of compost as recommended above will contribute to the soil structure which will in turn allow for better permeability.

The pH is appropriate for this type of bed; no amendments are necessary at this time.

At the time this study was conducted, the shrubs and trees living in this bed are in their dormant season, however, they appear to be thriving and healthy. Fertilizing the bed, while recommended, is optional as long as the plant materials continue to thrive.

In order to care for your shrub bed, the following are recommendations for ongoing best care practices for your soil:

  Weed early in growing season.   Add organic matter to the soil in the form of compost   Water deeply and infrequently, about 1” once a week.

SMU B – Grade Level Planting Bed Site Description

  990 sq feet   South facing   Flat, slight depression towards center   Large deciduous bushes

  Small arbor and bench   2” layer of mulch   Appears to have compacted soil   Small pond to one end

SMU B

SMU B – Soil Description   Permeability - Good The higher percentages of sand and silt indicate a

course/medium textured soil which results in larger pore sizes and a high rate of permeability..   Infiltration rate: 30.4” per hour   Silty clay/ silty clay loam

  30% sand   53% silt   17% clay

  Consistency: Firm, plasticy and sticky, held up, without crumbling, under pressure.

SMU A – Soil Description cont’d

10YR 5/3

SMU B – Soil Test Results

Sand 30%

Silt 53%

Clay 17%

Sand Silt Clay

Soil texture: Silty Loam

Humus: 1 – Very low (for gardens/greenhouse soils)

pH: 6.13 for this ornamental shrub bed is appropriate

Nutrient Results (ppm)

20 12.5

150

10

25

140

30

75

130

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K)

SMU A SMU B SMU C

Nutrient Results (meq) – Cont’d

7

0.21

7

0.08

14

0.21 0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Calcium (Ca) Magnesium (Mg)

SMU A SMU B SMU C

SMU B Fertilization Recommendations

Lime Recommendation:

The pH level is appropriate for this type of bed; No amendments are necessary

Fertilizer Recommendation:

Since the soil test results for: Phosphorus were equal to 25 ppm Potassium were less than 300 pm

A 15-15-15 fertilizer at a rate of 1.5 lb/100 sf could be applied to this bed. According to the following equation: 990/ 100 sq ft *1.5lbs per 100sq ft = 15 lb of 15-15-15 fertilizer could be applied to this bed.

Organic Fertilizer: If an organic fertilizer is desired, then it is recommended that 30 lb of a 7-3-2 fertilizer be applied to this bed.

Application: Sidedress the fertilizer close to the base of the plant materials, making sure that fertilizer granules do not land on leaves of shrubs or trees. Scratch the fertilizer into the top 2” of the soil carefully so roots are not damaged. Apply irrigation after fertilizing so that plants can absorb nutrients.

Schedule: Apply fertilizer as recommended above in early spring

SMU B Soil Management Recommendations

 The infiltration rate indicates that water is appropriately soaking into soil. To avoid potential compaction though, the client might consider adding a walking path or pavers to the turf area and to the sitting area.

The level of humus for this soil is very low. It is recommended that 2” of a blended compost mulch be added to this bed in late spring/early summer to prevent moisture loss, regulate summer temperature and prevent erosion. Gradually, the mulch will also increase the amount of humus in the soil and the amount of nutrients the soil can hold. When adding the organic matter, use a wheel barrow to prevent potential soil compaction.

The coarse texture of the soil indicates that the soil has adequate permeability and good aeration, but might become deficient in some nutrients. It is recommended that the client test the soil in this area regularly and modify fertilizing applications as necessary.

The pH is appropriate for this type of bed; no amendments are necessary at this time.

At the time this study was conducted, the shrubs living in this bed are in their dormant season, however, they appear to be thriving and healthy. Fertilizing the bed, while recommended, is optional as long as the plant materials continue to thrive.

 In order to care for your shrub bed, the following are recommendations for ongoing best care practices for your soil:

 Weed early in growing season.  Add organic matter to the soil in the form of mulch.  Water deeply and infrequently, about 1” once a week.

SMU C – Half of greenhouse lawn   Open to south, east and west.   SMU A is to the north   Bordered by several planting beds   8000 sq. ft   Flat, slight rise to the east and the south   Water drain towards center of turf

(Area about 6ft around has been excluded from this study)

  Grass is fairly lush and green, but drainage problems make it mucky to walk in after rain, aeration issues may exist

SMU C

SMU C – Soil Description   Permeability – Good/moderate The higher percentages of sand and silt indicate a course/

medium textured soil which results in larger pore sizes and a high rate of permeability.

However, the low rate of infiltration and the location of the turf indicates that the area may have suffered some compaction which reduces its permeability capabilities. .   Infiltration rate: 3.8” per hour   Loam/ Silt Loam

  40% sand   50% silt   10% clay

  Consistency: Firm, silky and smooth. It broke apart only slightly under firm pressure.

SMU A – Soil Description cont’d

10YR 5/3

SMU C – Soil Test Results

Sand 40%

Silt 50%

Clay 10%

Sand Silt Clay

Soil texture: Loam/ Silt loam

Humus: 2 – Low (for gardens/greenhouse soils)

pH: 6.3, perennial rye grass likes 5.5 – 6.5; pH is appropriate

Nutrient Results (ppm)

20 12.5

150

10

25

140

30

75

130

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K)

SMU A SMU B SMU C

Nutrient Results (meq) – Cont’d

7

0.21

7

0.08

14

0.21 0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Calcium (Ca) Magnesium (Mg)

SMU A SMU B SMU C

SMU C – Fertilizer Recommendations Lime Recommendation:

The pH level is appropriate for this type of turf; No amendments are necessary

Fertilizer Recommendation:

Since the soil test results for: Phosphorus was more than 20 ppm; we don’t need to add phosphorus Potassium was less than less than 250 ppm; we should add potassium

The client would like to fertilize the lawn to achieve a ‘medium’ quality, therefore 3-4 lb of nitrogen per year is desirable. A 6-1-4 or 24-4-16 fertilizer is recommended for this bed. 3 lb N per 1,000 sq ft / .06 = 50 lb per 1000 sq ft * 8 = 400 lb fertilizer per year 3 lb N per 1,000 sq ft/ .24 = 12.5 lb per 1000 sq ft * 8 = 100 lb fertilizer per year

Organic Fertilizer: If an organic fertilizer is desired, then it is recommended that 400 lb (annually) of a 6-1-2 DPW (dried poultry waste) fertilizer be applied to this turf.

Application: Apply fertilizer using a drop-type spreader. Apply fertilizer at half the recommended rate and go over the area once, overlapping slightly with each consecutive pass. Go over the area a second time at 90° to the first pas, again overlapping slightly with each consecutive pass. Irrigate lawn after fertilizing to keep the lawn moist. Be careful not to overwater, creating runoff.

Schedule: Apply 1/2 the total amount of fertilizer as recommended above twice throughout the year: Early spring (April / May) – apply 200lb/8000sq ft 6-1-2 DPW, or 6-1-4 (Non organic) fertilizer Early fall (September / October) – Repeat above application.

SMU C Soil Management Recommendations

The low infiltration rate indicates that the soil has undergone some compaction. It is recommended that the turf be aerated during early summer.

The level of humus for this soil is low. It is optional, but after aerating the client might consider spreading compost over the turf.

The coarse texture of the soil indicates that the soil might become deficient in some nutrients. It is recommended that the client test the soil in this area regularly and modify fertilizing applications as necessary.

The pH is appropriate for this type of turf; no amendments are necessary at this time.

In order to care for your turf, the following are recommendations for ongoing best care practices for your soil:

  Mow regularly, cutting the lawn to no less than 2” in height. When mowing, the client should remove, at the most, 1/3 of the height at any one time.

  It is recommended that the client mow the lawn in a different direction each time. Grass clippings should be left on the turf.

  Since infiltration rate is low, it is recommended that the client water 3-4 times per week for a total of 1”.