1. 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.

2. 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

3. SMU A

4. 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

5. SMU A – Soil Description cont’d
10YR 4/3

6. SMU A – Soil Test Results
Sand
13%
Soil texture: Silty clay / silty clay loam
Clay
40%
Humus: 3 (Medium, for garden/
greenhouse soils)
pH: 5.96, it is appropriate for the Silt
47%
ornamental shrub bed
Sand Silt Clay

7. Nutrient Results (ppm)
160 150
140
140 130
120
100
SMU A
75
80
SMU B
60 SMU C
40 30
25
20
20 12.5
10
0
Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K)

8. Nutrient Results (meq) – Cont’d
16
14
14
12
10
SMU A
8 7 7
SMU B
6 SMU C
4
2
0.21 0.21
0.08
0
Calcium (Ca) Magnesium (Mg)

9. SMU A
Fertilization Recommendations
Lime The pH level is appropriate for this type of bed; No amendments are
Recommendation: necessary
Fertilizer Since the soil tests results for:
Recommendation: 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 If an organic fertilizer is desired, then it is recommended that 42 lb of a 7-3-2
Fertilizer: 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.

10. 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.

11. 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

12. SMU B

13. 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.

14. SMU A – Soil Description cont’d
10YR 5/3

15. SMU B – Soil Test Results
Soil texture: Silty Loam Clay
17% Sand
30%
Humus: 1 – Very low (for gardens/
greenhouse soils)
pH: 6.13 for this ornamental shrub
bed is appropriate Silt
53%
Sand Silt Clay

16. Nutrient Results (ppm)
160 150
140
140 130
120
100
SMU A
75
80
SMU B
60 SMU C
40 30
25
20
20 12.5
10
0
Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K)

17. Nutrient Results (meq) – Cont’d
16
14
14
12
10
SMU A
8 7 7
SMU B
6 SMU C
4
2
0.21 0.21
0.08
0
Calcium (Ca) Magnesium (Mg)

18. SMU B
Fertilization Recommendations
Lime The pH level is appropriate for this type of bed;
Recommendation: No amendments are necessary
Fertilizer Since the soil test results for:
Recommendation: 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

19. 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.
organic matter to the soil in the form of mulch.
 Add
 Water deeply and infrequently, about 1” once a week.

20. 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)
 Grassis fairly lush and green, but drainage problems
make it mucky to walk in after rain, aeration issues
may exist

21. SMU C

22. 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.

23. SMU A – Soil Description cont’d
10YR 5/3

24. SMU C – Soil Test Results
Clay
10%
Soil texture: Loam/ Silt loam
Sand
40%
Humus: 2 – Low (for gardens/
greenhouse soils)
Silt
pH: 6.3, perennial rye grass likes 5.5 50%
– 6.5; pH is appropriate
Sand Silt Clay

25. Nutrient Results (ppm)
160 150
140
140 130
120
100
SMU A
75
80
SMU B
60 SMU C
40 30
25
20
20 12.5
10
0
Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K)

26. Nutrient Results (meq) – Cont’d
16
14
14
12
10
SMU A
8 7 7
SMU B
6 SMU C
4
2
0.21 0.21
0.08
0
Calcium (Ca) Magnesium (Mg)

27. SMU C – Fertilizer Recommendations
Lime The pH level is appropriate for this type of turf; No amendments are necessary
Recommendation:
Fertilizer Since the soil test results for:
Recommendation: 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
If an organic fertilizer is desired, then it is recommended that 400 lb (annually) of a
Organic Fertilizer:
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.

28. 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”.