Thatch &

[@MrFergusonLawn]

For the record, since I've seen this question asked a few times; Yes, my samples did come from roughly the same areas. Overall, I'm not really that bothered or concerned about the test or results lol. It is what it is and I do understand it's a snapshot of current readings. That said, thank you all for your expert analysis! Good to see you all speaking up.

[@andersonb8925]

Amen!!! I like you incorporated the Word in with your examples of using the N-EXT D-Thatch product... Keep up the great work... 👍🙏👏😃

[@TG-qr4jr]

You had me in the first half. Haha. The description you pulled for thatch was accurate. It's the material breaking down, but it's below the canopy. Not dead grass above it. I was hoping you pull plugs. IMO inexpensive dethatchers have given people the wrong idea about thatch, just combing dead grass off the canopy.

[@TG-qr4jr]

Also the test on black strap molasses and dethatching was weekly applications, I think it was 5oz per 1000sqft. Over a 2 year period. There was no noted improvement to the turf quality, but there was a reduction in thatch. Also if this product was sold containing active microbes and sugar (molasses?), the sugars would all be consumed by the microbes within days/hours, within the container, and the microbes would quickly starve and die off. I'm curious how that works... I'm probably missing something. I'm no scientist, I've just made beer and bread...

[@darrenb1619]

Thank you

[@DellBurns]

Very cool to add a devotional in your video

[@MrFergusonLawn]

About to start them back up man! On the other channel, Mr Ferguson VLOG. Lords been saying it’s time to get them going again. Thanks man!

[@edmora7662]

This is my second video and my first Wednesday video.

[@LeNoir1NC]

1. It takes multiple applications of D-thatch over time to break down thatch. “The Turf Mechanic” did an excellent series on this topic. 2. Not shocked by soil results - watering your lawn and heavy rainfall in June (in your area) will leach away nutrients. 3. NC soil is naturally acidic. It’s a moving target to keep pH in the optimal range requiring maintenance applications of lime. When was the last time you limed (type)? Fast acting lime doesn’t stay long in our soil. So this issue plus leaching might explain the difference. 4. 1-2 applications will not fix a really low K deficiency. I remember a video of John Perry saying it may take 2-3 yrs. to correct because applying too much SoP too often can dry out plant tissue. 5. Soil Mastery test - my understanding is the same as @DonCline. It shows what is happening at the moment (a snapshot). 6. Suggest you reach out to John Perry (non-bias expert) or Allyn Hane and the manufacturer of the test kit to explain differences.

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Thanks man, appreciate your format (lol, seriously I do) and knowledge! Good to get people like yourself commenting too. I'm not truly concerned about any of this, just curious is all. Good info! Thanks for your opinion man!

[@PacificNorthwestLawns]

@@MrFergusonLawn if you really want to move your K numbers you really need to use an SOP like 0-0-50 or 0-0-48 at a rate of a full pound of K 2 or even 3 times over the course of a season.

[@RedRoyce]

Just wondering..... I was going to order the kit from Pet and get the probe with two test kits. Do you think I should do a sample now and the other the first of spring or wait till end of winter and then first of spring?? I know I should have already done one before planting my seed but didn't. I've spent so much on this project with buying equipment and product I'm up to 2k already. LOL

[@marcl9232]

I did a soil test from yard mastery which I questioned. But now I'm going to do one through Spectrum Analytic.

[@MrFergusonLawn]

I might do a video on this actually. Two different soil tests, same dirt from the same bag! I think it would be interesting to see the two results. I'm here to help everyone, not just me!

[@MrKevinH]

Another great comparison. I'm glad I mowed before you filmed. Looking forward to what's next!

[@jperezgiz27]

Did you take the soil samples from almost the exact same areas? Also, given the time frame you took the two tests, were you over the 30 day recommended time-frame from your prior fert application? From my experience (especially since I have slopes in my yard) my PH varies greatly even just 20 feet away, with those sections growing and greening up very differently. For Iron and some micros to fall drastically, you may have taken the May sample too close to a double dark app.

[@aquienpuedainteresar4188]

Good evening Mr. Ferguson. The concensus around the interwebs is that dthatch don't work. I never used it so I don't know but I'll pass it up save the money or try a different product on the Next line up. RGS and Aer8 are my favorites.

[@MrFergusonLawn]

I agree sir. Thanks for the comment and I’m leaning toward this opinion as well. Have a great evening!

[@spillebeenkenny7120]

Hello i am living in Belgium and i cant find this product here , is ther an alternative?Thx

[@williamconlon4183]

Seeing as I know as much about D-thatch as you do is a week long enough to see any results? The soil test reads a little wonky as you described. Are you taking your samples in the same places in the yard? Bottom line is the yard is looking good, your happy with it. Don't get carried away with the numbers, just the results.

[@MrFergusonLawn]

I agree William, it's not the end of the world, right? God bless you sir!

[@kbeast98]

I think the idea is that it increases microbes action to help break down thatch. Temps also have to be warm for it to work best. Nothing will beat mechanical dethatching but it IMO it helps out the thatch layer a little bit, not nessecarily the dead matter on top

[@joshcooper8328]

Amen.

[@MorsSmores]

Just got my soil test back right before going to beach here in NC as well, what’s the chances

[@surengosine2750]

Try using a soil probe for before and after data collection on Dthatch. The results should be from the bottom up. BTW - Came across your channel a month or two ago, great content! Keep it coming!

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Thanks for commenting Suren! Glad to have you around!

[@Chadwick555]

I’ve been seeing a lot of people using D-Thatch recently as I’ve been getting into owning my own lawn, but I see one major problem. Everyone is using such small amounts for such a high price, I come from a background of fermentation and farming so I’ve never understood why everybody isn’t propagating this stuff for pennies, it’s as simple as homebrewing; add molasses, microbial product of choice, and water to a bucket, with a lid and airlock and presto you have a dirt cheap highly active better version of the product in question. I personally use EM-1 which contains a wider array of microbes and they tell you to simply add 1part EM-1, 1part non-sulphur molasses, and 20parts water, wait 1-2 weeks, apply. The total cost of making 30 gallons is about $35 dollars so I don’t dilute I spray undiluted. So far I have noticed a significant reduction in dead grass from my dead (at home purchase) lawn. I also add in Humic acid to that concentrate.

[@alceja3522]

Your results look similar to mine I was shocked as well. Added a few 15-0-15 treatments, and 0-0-28 K and it was still low on K. Only difference is my ph is over 7. I was skeptical on the test for a second also 😂

[@Jeff-zc6ti]

I would like to see a video of 3 comparable test maybe one from your local office here in NC which would be free and 2 others

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Lol. Already thought of it and while I won’t do three, I’ll likely do two at same time this Fall and we shall compare. I’m curious too.

[@doncline6372]

I agree that your soil tests are way wonky. I would try another soil test company and see what they say. I have used the Soil Mastery test and their pH mimicked closely to my Waypoint test. If you are using Jonathan Green or any other fast acting lime, I believe you could see the results you are seeing as it is reported that fast acting lime only holds for a few weeks. Also, I believe SM test shows what is available at that moment. I think P and K availability are tied to pH which somewhat bears out your test. I am learning also even though I have been in ag and worked around soil tests many years. I have put heaps of lime down to no avail. Lime does work very slowly through the soil profile and can take up to 6 months to become active. I am go to try JG fast acting lime a couple times this summer to see if I can at least raise the pH during the growing season and activate all the nutrients I have put down past 4 years. I live in central Virginia and this has to be the most challenging soil I have ever worked with.

[@fortnb]

Those results are crazy, you put down a lot of k. Makes me want to try another soil testing lab.

[@MrFergusonLawn]

I did lol. 0-0-48, 7-0-20 stress blend, and also the liquid sulfur and potassim app as well. Yet it only moved a hair? I am suspicious, but I'll just continue with K until we see it increase! Thanks for your comment!!!

[@fortnb]

@@MrFergusonLawn those test cost to much $$$ to possibly give false results

[@bigredwag]

Strange that phosphorus would drop so dramatically as it generally stays in the soil forever

[@MRM5J]

It's ok it's more about long term use simar to humic acid. I think the home made version is a better value. Molasses and beer works just as well.

[@kevinbrewster6834]

Sometimes those test are suspect....🤨 Other than that your yard looks great I'm in TX I am going with Organic products Medina along with the N-ext products real low application of Nitro but heavy on the Humic, Kelp. Seaweed, Molasses, Fish. & Carbon G.

[@wayne1362]

Maybe the dethatcher needs repeated every few weeks

[@lawndingo7656]

That soil test is unreliable, look at Mat Martin, he explains why that type of soil test should not be used. If you use a different test, you will get a different result.

[@JMM7171]

Too much lime will raise PH too high. So, you can put down too much. I enjoy the videos, but feel like I’m listening to Bob Dole.

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Yes, you can put down too much, but you're not gonna destroy your lawn was my point. It takes a TON of lime to really destroy your ph levels. Even doing that though, they will come back down over time. In regards to being boring...I take it that was your point, lol, sorry I guess. I am who I am lol. Anything else would be pretending or an act and that ain't me. I'll try my best to be more entertaining. Thank you for the view and comment.

[@PacificNorthwestLawns]

You do realize that dead or dormant grass and clippings isn't thatch right? That's debris. There's a considerable difference. While DeThatch may break some of that down over time what you're looking at isn't even thatch. If you watch this video John even shows an example of how it can break that debris down but it takes weeks or even months. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6GWfZmced1_eLc

[@MrFergusonLawn]

I’m definitely learning my friend and will never claim to know it all. I know the definition of thatch but yes I may be confused on exactly what thatch looks like I suppose, but my research (as a noobie) shows me thatch pretty clearly. I did my best as a typical DIY’r to purchase and test this with the knowledge I have. I welcome further thoughts and opinions to consider though. Thanks for commenting.

[@PacificNorthwestLawns]

@@MrFergusonLawn here's a descent example. That can be difficult at times to actually see without pulling a core. Not impossible, but difficult. images.app.goo.gl/tazATCX6koTCkcQx8