Soil testing (during lawn renovation)

Discussion in 'Outdoor Gardening in the Pacific Northwest' started by sea, Jul 15, 2013.

  1. sea

    sea Member

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    Location:
    Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
    Dear pros, I am going to renovate my lawn (moss is taking over the grass everywhere). Purchased a moss killing liquid, dethatching rakes, aerator, multipurpose spreader (will purchase seeds, fertilizer and compost later - for overseeding).

    Do you ever take soil tests or using mixtures that are sold at stores (fertilizer/anti-moss/lime) is enough?
     
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2013
  2. David Payne Terra Nova

    David Payne Terra Nova Active Member

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    Port Coquitlam, B.C. Canada
    I'm from Poco. You can spray the moss killer now, in the early morning. It will also help to green up the lawn. But, because we're having a drought I don't suggest that you do any dethatching, aerating, seeding or fertilizing. Wait until mid September or you're going to cause yourself a bunch of other problems with weed growth and numerous other things that I won't get into here.

    If you have moss, try to figure out why and correct the problem if you can. It will continue to come back.

    Is it too shady? Trim the trees if you can. Is there a drainage problem? Fix that.

    If your moss problem is on the north side of the house, you won't be able to do much about it any-ways. Being next to the mountains, Port Coquitlam can get a lot of rain as well. Perhaps put down landscape cloth and gravel over top of the affected area?
     
  3. sea

    sea Member

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    Thank you very much for your reply, David. I live in PoCo too. I was going to start with the anti-moss spraying. Will wait till September with the rest. We have just one corner of the lawn that is a little bit in shade (because of the Magnolia tree) and it is a bit lower than the rest lawn - water usually collects there and the lawn completely consists of moss there - then moss spreads everywhere (we were going to level this part of the lawn)...

    Our lawn IS on the North side... Its area is about 4 sq.feet and moss is everywhere now (mixed with the grass). We did not do any aeration this spring, so I thought that if we do it now, it will improve drainage... Gravel cannot be used in our lawn - it will look alien in it.

    To be honest, I do not know how to improve drainage of a lawn without making trenches or splitting it into separate squares which would destroy the very concept of our backyard lawn (it is like a small soccer field for the kids).

    We missed this season of pruning, fertilizing, aerating, etc. (been busy with family issues). Lawn looked better last season when we moved into this house. The only care our lawn has been receiving from us during the year was watering/mowing.

    Thank you, David, for sharing your knowledge. It helps to avoid major mistakes... (sorry for my English).
     
  4. David Payne Terra Nova

    David Payne Terra Nova Active Member

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    Location:
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    Search for "French Drains" on line. Perhaps that will help with the water collecting in that area.

    Raising the pH with lime will help a bit with the moss problem.

    When you buy seed, look for a shade mixture that is a "Canada Grade 1" grass mix with a "fine fescue" in it.

    You probably don't require a soil test. Just perform the other tasks you have mentioned above in the fall or early spring,
    and use a quality slow release fertilizer regularly.
     
  5. sea

    sea Member

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    Thanks again for another portion of good advice. Yep, I was going to apply some lime along with a fertilizer (they sell it in big bags as a mix of anti-moss/fertilizer/lime).Will buy a fertilizer you suggested and separately some lime. I was going to buy a mix of seeds for overseeding (I know about fescue, read about overseeding a bit), but will look for what you suggest now. Thanks for the hint on what kind of drainage to read about. BTW, I had a look at the web-site you've got in your public profile and at your biografy - impressive :)

    Thank you very much for your kind advice!

    Just found this useful article (while were looking for the web-site of the people who were promoting their lawn services in our area this spring): http://www.portcoquitlam.ca/Citizen...ation/Horticulture_for_the_Home/Lawn_Care.htm
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2013
  6. sea

    sea Member

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    Looked through the articles on French drainage. I suspect that there must be something like that in our lawn (it is not a new house). I think nobody would make such a lawn without any drainage. Just noticed that all the lawns in my neighbourhood look the same - clover, moss, mushrooms, bumps, etc. - all inclusive :)

    Good news - we do not need to take the soil test. Thanks again for your help, David.



     

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