Soil testing can be useful, but test reports are often unnecessarily complex and hard to understand. It’s important to know what values on a report are important and what values can be ignored. Our most recent NebGuide, “Simplifying Soil Test Interpretations for Turf Professionals,” explains the importance of consistency during sampling and outlines the most important – science-based – values on a soil test report. There is also a quick reference table attached to the end of the publications with very specific interpretations and management recommendations. These recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science and not to drive fertilizer sales. Soil testing and soil test reports aren’t as complicated as they may seem. This newest Turf Fact Sheet will give you confidence when you review your soil tests results in the future. http://turf.unl.edu/turfinfo/5-20_Simplifying_Soil_Testing.pdf
Bill Kreuser, Extension Turfgrass Specialist, wkreuser2@unl.edu