I just mowed and aerated the back yard in preparation for some spring maintenance. Looking for what steps I should take as my soil temps are beginning to get into planting season (8a zone in the Pacific Northwest).
I’ve been at the house for almost 2 years, focusing on interior updates and this year I plan to focus much more in the yard. When we moved in, this was 6” of chaos that I tamed back last year and replaced/ dug out the soil-impacted irrigation heads.
Any thoughts on the soil’s health from these plugs? I plan to take a soil sample tomorrow or early in the week before the rain starts back up, but I’d love any suggestions you have for me to prepare for April and May projects.
by Dadams80120
26 Comments
If you can tell from just that… you’re a God or delusional.
As you already guessed, getting a soil test from a university or reputable labs (not those amazon thingy or DIY) is the best way to find your starting point. It’ll tell you what NPK your soil need.
While you’re at it, do a tuna can sprinkler test as well. Place an empty tuna canes around the yard, let the sprinkler run its cycles, then check how much water each area get. Look up your grass watering needs and adjust the sprinkler timing, rotation, spread accordingly.
Finally… be patience. It will take a few seasons before the work is done. idk much about cool season grass or what pre-emergence is ideal. You can call your local university for guidance. They often have the info on their website. (forgot the name of the department).
Looks like dirt. You should be good. 👍🏻
If it’s black or brown you’re in better shape than me. I’ve just got thick red clay underneath my sod 🙁
Loam
What does it taste like?
Heavy panting
Sounds like YOU need to be aerated to get some more oxygen in them lungs!
That wasn’t an aeration plug…..
It’s dirt
Phosphorus and Manganese a bit low
Nobody can tell you, get your soil tested and then it’s a new game. No more guessing.
It’s aerated for sure !!
Looks like standard PNW soil – clay due to excessive rain.
Brother you are shaking like hell. You ok?
Loam
Are you breathing thru an apparatus
https://i.redd.it/861shx3uewrg1.gif
Soil looks fine from the plug. Every area has different soil so just focus on ph and nutrients but id argue you’re probably good to go.
Sounds like he just did some yard work and is breathing a little heavier than usual. People on reddit are dicks. Your soil looks pretty decent to me!
Sir that’s poop
I can 100% conclude from this video that those plugs are made of dirt.
I heard… that aeration plug said your lawn is a bitch, and they would not propagate shit in that mess.
Bro needs his lungs aerated tbh
You’re not gonna get much info from a one second look at a plug.
though it looks healthy, well irrigated, maybe some clay. Why don’t you send some samples to an exstension site and get a free soil test with recommendations.
Hey fellow PNW homie! I use a RapiTest soil testing kit to check all the big nutrient levels and soil pH, but I often find that a long wet winter like the one we just had washes a lottttt of alkaline out of the soil, leaving it pretty acidic (and more prone to moss, in my case). Adding pelletized lime is a good way to correct soil pH before the hot season.