Mr.
Jinx Says:
Grubs?
Don't guess.........soil test!
Get you Home Lawn and Garden Soil Tested Now!
Often our lawn and garden soils are rich and productive, needing little or no enhancements. Others may be poor soils or depleted, needing
to be replenished. Approaching plant care without conducting a baseline soil test may put gardeners at risk of over fertilization.
Why should I soil test?
• Know your soil. Soil testing is an important diagnostic tool to evaluate nutrient imbalances and understand plant growth.
• Understand. The most important reason to soil test is to have a basis for intelligent application of fertilizer and lime.
• pH. Testing allows homeowners to adjust soil pH to the optimum range (6.0-7.0), which makes nutrients more available for plant growth.
• Protection of our environment. Avoid contaminants that can enter our surface and ground waters by over-application of phosphorous or nitrogen fertilizers.
• Cost savings. Why apply what you don’t need? Soil test results provide information about the soil’s ability to supply nutrients to plants for adequate growth and are the basis of deciding how much lime and fertilizer are needed.
What will I find out from my soil sample?
Home Lawn and Garden Soil Test Mailer results will determine your soil type, pH, level of organic matter and provide you with a reading for nutrients including phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium. The results will also provide a recommendation for nitrogen and will determine how much lime should be applied based upon the type of plant you specify.
How long before I receive my test results?
You should receive test results in about two weeks. The lab analysis takes three to five working days from the time samples are received. Remember, MSU recommendations are in pounds of nutrient needed, not pounds of fertilizer to be applied! Your results will also include an area calculator that helps you determine how many square feet you need to apply fertilizer.
How do I take a soil sample?
• Determine which one lawn or garden area you would like to test. Don’t combine these soils.
• Using a spade or trowel, collect 10 random soil samples from the area and place in a clean pail.
• Each sample should be a slice of soil as deep as the plant roots go (3 to 4 inches deep for lawn; 7 inches deep for gardens and all other plants).
• Remove plant debris, roots and thatch from the sample.
• Combine the 10 random samples in the pail, mix thoroughly and remove approximately 1 cup of mixed soil. If the soil is wet, spread it on paper and allow it to air dry overnight before filling the sample bag. Do not use artificial heat as it will skew test results.
• Fill the re-closable plastic bag included in the Soil Test Mailer with your dry soil and seal carefully.
• Place bag inside the white, postage-paid envelope and put in your mailbox for pick up.
For questions about what to use for grub control and when to use it.
A short list of products now being used for grub control.
- Scotts Grub-Ex - Granular
chlorantraniliprole 0.08%
Apply between April 15 and May 15 for best results. - Bayer Advanced Season Long Grub Control and Turf Revitalizer - Granular
imidacloprid 0.25% and fertilizer
Apply between June 1 and Juky 15 for best results. - Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer Granules - Granular
cyfluthrin 0.05% and imidacloprid 0.15%
l Apply between June 1 and July 15 for best results. - Bayer Advanced Season-Long Grub Control Liquid - attach-to-hose bottle
imidacloprid 1.47%
Apply between June 1 and July 15 for best results. - Premium Grub Control (do not confuse with Premium Insect Control
imidacloprid 0.2%
Apply between June 1 and July 15 for best results. - Gardentech Sevin Lawn Insect Granules
carbaryl 2.0%
Apply in spring or fall to active grubs. - Bayer Advanced 24hr Grub Killer Plus - Granular
trichlorfon 9.3%
Apply in spring or fall to active grubs. - Spectracide Triazicide Insect Killer Once and Done Granules
gamma-cyhalothrin 0.05%
Will not kill grubs at any rate - Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer Liquid attach-to-hose bottle
cyfluthrin 0.36% and imidacloprid 0.72%
This product will not deliver enough imidacloprid to work effectively