More About the Gro-Masters Soil Analysis
Soil Analysis
Gro-Masters soil analysis focuses on the following four measurements:
- pH
- Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)
- Hydrogen Concentration
- Soil Macronutrients
pH
A pH reading will tell if your property’s soil is too acidic or too basic. Every grass has its preferred pH range. Most grow best when the pH is between 6 and 7. In our region, soil easily becomes too acidic (pH goes below 6). When this happens, fertilizer treatments will not have the desired effect on the plants being targeted. When soil is too acidic, fertilizer is absorbed by the soil and rendered unavailable to the plants that need it to grow.
Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)
CEC measures how well soil can hold a fertilizer and keep it available to plants and grasses while they grow. When CEC is low, plants won’t have time to absorb fertilizer before it is washed away by rain or other irrigation. Low CEC can happen under a variety of circumstances but is especially common following new construction.
Hydrogen Concentration
Concentration of Hydrogen shows how compact soil has become. When soil is too compact water and other vital nutrients will not reach plant roots where they are needed. It will also be harder for roots to penetrate deep enough into the soil to sustain the plant.
Soil Macronutrients
Gro-Masters test concentrations of elements necessary for successful plan growth like potassium and magnesium.