OK, now that the third year has completed for many BL members and their "improve the soil" programs, it's time to say the ugly truth about working on your soil. Actually, I'm slightly surprised that nobody has called me out on this truth...

It never ends.

Let's say you started out like Jon ("JG"). A low pH, sandy, low-OM soil. You add tons and tons of OM, raise the pH, etc. You get the nutrients close to the levels that are balanced for the original targets.

And the additional OM starts showing in the CEC.

As the CEC rises, the number of exchange sites rises. If they're not tied up with good nutrients, they will fill with something. Hydrogen as a last resort. And if Hydrogen fills them because nothing else is supplied, the exchangeable Hydrogen means a falling pH.

Or you do supply adequate primary nutrients like Calcium to make it stay stable. But as (let's say) Calcium rises, items that need to be kept in a ratio to Calcium need adjustment. Watch that Magnesium (1 part Magnesium to 7 parts Calcium). Keep an eye on Boron (1 part Boron to 1000 parts Calcium). Playing with the Iron? Keep the Manganese in balance with it. The same for Copper and Zinc.

So, as you get that fourth-year soil test and think that you may be approaching the "finish line" on good soil, don't be at all surprised if you find that the finish line moved a mile up the road. The road it moved down will be in better shape than the road you were on, but you've been on, but it keeps moving and moving and moving.

Dude, that's half the fun! Besides, the finish line may have moved, but you're still far from the starting line.

In my eyes I thought you always had to adjust the ph almost yearly so that no big surprise to me. I also figured if you adjust the ph other micros might need a touch up. The one that worries me is organic matter. We just don't know how often or how much needs to be added to keep it steady.

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In my eyes I thought you always had to adjust the ph almost yearly so that no big surprise to me.

This is the single area that I've had no luck getting people to understand. pH by itself means nothing. It is the end result of everything else you do and put down into the soil. It's like temperature - it's the end-result of how much sunshine we get and at what angle, and where the air in the atmosphere is flowing from (Canada? The Gulf?).

We just don't know how often or how much needs to be added to keep it steady.

There IS a formula I have somewhere for that, and I'll find it. Warning: it is mind-numbing in its complexity.

Im sure everyone would like to see the formula you have Andy. It might be over my head though.

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It's not my formula, it's on a USDA website if I remember. Or a University website. I'll find it.

As one with almost pure sand like JG, I'd be interested in reading the formula about adding OM. I'm certain that it will be WAY over my head, but I'd still be interested in reading it when you get it posted.

Here is some related material. I also have material on ENR ("Estimated Nitrogen Release") from OM somewhere.

USDA Soil Quality Indicators

The pursuit of perfection, sounds like a car commercial. Job for life= testing soil.

If a salesman (or genie from a bottle) came to your door and said: "For $xxx, I can make your soil 'perfect', guaranteed for 50 years", would you consider it? To me, this isn't about having a perfect lawn or having perfect soil - it's about the process of getting there. If it's just about owning the most perfectly green lawn, then we'd be collectors, not enthusiasts.

I agree, most of the fun of this hobby is the process, not the end result! One of the things I really like about finally having a small lawn is that all these processes are really affordable and not too much labor to find the time to do it yourself! My "hardest" process is a annual/bi annual compost topdressing,and even that is enjoyable to do on a small lawn! I am already hating the season ending and not being out there!

+1 above. Big time. i recieved a lot of strange looks a year ago around the block, now i am getting a lot of how to questions, one neighbor even started mulching his leaves and throwing down fert in november. he has offerred to help with my reno on the front next fall if i keep him "in the loop" on what i am doing.

cactus wrote:If a salesman (or genie from a bottle) came to your door and said: "For $xxx, I can make your soil 'perfect', guaranteed for 50 years", would you consider it? To me, this isn't about having a perfect lawn or having perfect soil - it's about the process of getting there. If it's just about owning the most perfectly green lawn, then we'd be collectors, not enthusiasts.

Ok, my intention is not taken correctly. It's merely re-confirming a constant changing soil=test=adjustment.(adding what's needed). The job for life is places like LL. The word "Job" is employees of Co. like LL. Not Green Guy Co. The "perfection" is an on going process of keeping the soil at optimum levels as time goes on.

By the way I am disappointed the season is coming to a close as well HL.

Glad I could be an example.

Curious what next year will bring when I take the tests in April, I'm hoping for 4% OM down at 4 inches. I may not even test the top 1.5 inches next year, it was about 8% this past spring.