Soil Testing for a Healthier Lawn: A Complete Guide for Large Properties

Maintaining a great lawn takes more than mowing and watering. The real foundation of a healthy lawn is the soil beneath it. Whether you’re caring for a few acres at home or managing large commercial turf, soil testing is the key to understanding what your lawn needs to thrive.

This guide explains why soil testing matters, how to do it, and how to use your results to create the best environment for strong, healthy grass.

Soil testing saves you time, money, and frustration. Instead of guessing what fertilizer to use, a soil test tells you exactly what your lawn is missing. It identifies:

• Nutrient levels (like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium).

• Soil pH (acidic, neutral, or alkaline).

• Secondary minerals and trace elements that impact long-term soil health.

For large properties, the payoff is even greater. Testing ensures you’re investing in the right treatments rather than over-fertilizing or under-feeding acres of grass.

Grass relies on three primary nutrients:

• Nitrogen (N): promotes rich green color and healthy growth.

• Phosphorus (P): builds strong roots.

• Potassium (K): improves resilience against disease, drought, and stress.

These work alongside secondary minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sulfur, plus trace elements such as iron, zinc, and manganese. The right balance of these elements is what keeps grass strong year after year.

Every grass type grows best within a certain pH range. pH measures whether your soil is acidic or alkaline. If the soil is too far outside the ideal range, your grass won’t absorb nutrients efficiently.

• Kentucky Bluegrass: 6.0–7.0

• Bermuda Grass: 6.5–8.0

• Tall Fescue: 5.5–7.0

• St. Augustine Grass: 6.0–7.5

• Perennial Ryegrass: 6.0–7.0

• Zoysia Grass: 6.0–6.5

Quick Tips:

• If your soil is too acidic, add limestone to raise the pH.

• If it’s too alkaline, add sulfur to lower the pH.
  

Balancing your soil pH creates the right environment for stronger, greener turf.

The most accurate soil test comes from proper sampling. For acreages or large properties, divide your land into sections (lawns, gardens, shaded areas, open spaces) and test each separately.

1. Use a clean trowel or shovel.

2. Collect samples at 0–4", 4–8", and 8–12" depths.

3. Mix each section’s soil in a clean bucket and remove rocks or debris.

4. Allow soil to air-dry for a day or two.

5. Place one cup of the mixed sample into a soil-testing bag or container.

6. Label by location and depth.

You can then:

• Send samples to a soil testing lab.

• Contact your local agricultural department.

• Use an at-home soil test kit.

Once you receive your results, you’ll know exactly how to adjust your lawn care strategy:

• Fertilizer Selection: Choose blends that match your soil’s nutrient needs (e.g., high-nitrogen if your lawn is deficient).

• Compost & Organics: Gradually add compost to improve soil structure and long-term fertility.

• pH Adjustments: Apply lime or sulfur as recommended by the test results.

• Targeted Care: Treat different sections of your property according to their specific needs.

Most experts recommend testing soil every 2–3 years, or annually if you’re working to correct major imbalances.

Healthy soil is the starting point for a thriving lawn. By testing regularly, you’ll save money on fertilizer, avoid wasting time on trial-and-error, and ensure your grass has everything it needs to stay green and resilient.

Once your soil is balanced, the right mower helps you protect that investment. Zero-turn mowers built for durability and precision make it easier to maintain acres of lawn with a clean, consistent finish—season after season.

Ready to take your property to the next level? Start with a soil test, then see the difference the right equipment can make.