Allen Soil and Water Conservation District recommends soil testing

Winter is right around the corner and many homeowners are taking advantage  of the unseasonably warm temperatures to complete autumn yard maintenance before the ground freezes. This includes the last-minute application of fertilizer onto lawns.

It’s important to remember that a lawn or garden that is fertilized should be tested every three years. For a little amount of time, postage and a small  processing fee, a lot of helpful information about one of the most significant  assets on your property can be learned.  

Soil testing is essential because over-fertilizing is so easy to do since many don’t give it much thought when applying it. However, excess fertilizer is washed into our rivers and streams every time it rains. Once it gets to the river, it causes algae problems, robs oxygen from the water, and is a leading  contributor of poor water quality. Statistics show that those who put fertilizer on their yards tend to do at eight times the amount farmers put on crop fields. 

That’s why it is so important to not only read the directions but also know  how big the yard is that the fertilizer is going to be applied to. The average lawn in the City of Lima is 4,356 square feet. According to fertilizer labels, a yard this size only requires approximately 14 lbs. of fertilizer. Soil testing will help determine the exact amount and type of fertilizer a specific lawn or garden needs. This will help to minimize the chances of applying to much and harming the environment.