Fixing A Lawn WITHOUT Knowing This Is VERY Hard // DIY Soil PH Test

I'm just about read to start renovation projects on this new lawn of mine but before I start anything I need to know what my lawn soil pH is. I'll be doing a lab test to find out the exact pH in a few different zones but it's super easy to get as ballpark estimate of the pH in many places in a short afternoons time using basic household materials most of us already have on hand.
I'll be demonstrating on a portion of my new yard how I estimate my sol pH in about 10-minutes of work start-to-finish. I recommend you do this to your lawn especially if you've never done a lab soil test before.
For basic lab soil tests you can contact your local university extension or a nearby lab or you can use any of the mail in soil test kits; these will give you more accurate (precise) results but you'll have to pay for each test performed.
► The Yard Mastery soil test kit can be priced out here: shrsl.com/2d3aw
► If you need to lower soil pH to get it down into the "slightly acidic" category then see this video where I outline the five main methods of doing so: • Lower Soil pH In The L...
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[@TurfMechanic]

►►► Want to fix your lawn for the long haul but don't know where to start? I can help! Click here right now and get started today: turfmech.link/dont-know-where-to-start ◄◄◄

[@programmingchicago]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

[@GirLzLawn]

Interested to see how close you get to the soil test results. Great information.

[@davidgonzales-ec8bo]

I love the sciencd behind this.

[@dice12tx]

Dude! Great video as always.....Love your channel.

[@frederickczajka573]

Any thoughts on Southern Ag Pelletized Acidifier?

[@mikeo8890]

My pH is 3.5 but my fescue looks pretty good.

[@mrwonkwonk]

Ammonium sulfate is great for adding sulfer over time while gettin that N too.

[@thurstonr9929]

Hey Brian, Interesting video. I did have my local extension office do a soil test and it came back at 7.2. My soil test kit just arrived so I’m in the process now of sending off a soil sample for a more detailed analysis. There is something going on with my lawn now. I have so many lime green areas popping up. Not sure if it’s bentgrass or what. But I hope not because I worked hard on this lawn. Can’t imagine killing this all off. I know you’re busy with your new home but let me know if you welcome photos. Thanks!

[@GeographyNerd48]

I knew you moved but what the heck. Where did you move to? Southern California?

[@davidgonzales-ec8bo]

The best way to work with bermuda grass is by growing tttf very high and using fussulade to kill it, or spend 50 dollars a lb for scotts provista. Either way, the bermuda still doesn't die. It is only suppressed. Also trycloper will work, but will also kill desirable grass.

[@frederickczajka573]

In the middle of summer when it is the hotest, spray the area you want to kill with highly concentrated vinegar 45-75% then cover it with black plastic sheets and stake it down. Let it cook though the summer, and come fall till (and rake out)/pick axe the dead grass out, remediate the soil and plant your Pro-Vista. Been watching my Thai neighbor do this for the last couple of years, it been a very cool to watch progress as I drive past his house.

[@DirtygardenCA]

I'll have to try that. Are you getting any rain? I'm south of you near LAX. .1" last night hoping for a lot more by the end of the storms passing Wed.

[@TurfMechanic]

We're getting a good amount, its making unpacking our second uhaul a bit hard. I don't have a rain guage out yet but I did through some buckets under one of our downspouts to start experimenting with rain water collection and im getting a lot. Looks like it'll continue off and on all day today.

[@DirtygardenCA]

@@TurfMechanic Terrific. Yeah I got 2 free 55 gallon barrels from our city hooked up to a rain gutter. That would be a fun project you can do in the future.

[@njphil1279]

I like soil a little alkaline. This way you can hammer the shit out of it with AMS

[@Aloysius1966]

I have the "Environmental Concepts pH7 Dual Probe Soil PH Meter". Only cost $12 on Amazon. Your thoughts on those devices?

[@markhousman8447]

or you could pick up a soil pH test at the hardware store for $10 and get an actual number...

[@TurfMechanic]

You could but they aren't particularly accurate either so you could pay money for an estimated number or just eyeball it without buying one of those. I've used those tests before and even have a video on the channel on their use.

[@harperexplores9349]

Science, try it

[@TurfMechanic]

😃

[@davidgonzales-ec8bo]

Devoid of bermuda grass....? Thats the reason i got into lawncare. After 15 years ive come to the conclusion that once you have bermuda you cant get rid of bermuda grass.

[@beerbeforebreakfast]

If you have bermuda at all, that is a suggestion that you should work with it not against it, since working against it is a losing move. Usually.

[@davidgonzales-ec8bo]

@@beerbeforebreakfast yes!!! That is the true alpha grass.

[@dvxAznxvb]

bermuda actually isn’t too crazy if your neighbors neglect it as well; it’s not able to maintain itself if you keep working against it shade or compacted areas are hardly areas it even likes getting close to; it has stolons so ripping it up after a demo isn’t too tricky either since it will stick out much more predominately against turf types; identifying is quite easy the little that did survive my glphosate attack has barely grown over the summer