The soil testing kits being used in The WAVE program provide the
following information:

(a) The pH (acidity of the soil)
(b) The nutrient content (N P K)

WAVE Patrollers use soil testers that are designed for simplicity of use and accurate results. Each test tube and capsule in the kit is colour coded.

pH =GREEN
Nitrogen (N) =PURPLE
Phosphorus (P) = BLUE
Potassium (K)= ORANGE

What soil do you test?

Take soil samples from about 3" below the surface for lawns. For shrubs, vegetables and fruit, the sample should be from 4" below.

Avoid touching the soil with your hands. Use a clean trowel or spoon to dig
up one cup of soil. Remove any small stones, organic material such as grass, weeds or roots and hard particles of lime. Crumble the sample finely and
mix thoroughly.

Try soils from different areas, as they may differ according to past cultivation, underlying soil differences or localized conditions.

How do I determine what nutrients different soils need?

Many yards have been coping with abuse and neglect, so it is fairly certain their nutrient deficiencies will need topping up.

What lawns really like is a nutrient content of approximately 4-1-2. Interestingly, one of the best sources of the right mix of nutrition is dead and decaying grass roots and grass clippings. These naturally provide a 4-1-3 fertilizer—and this about as good as it gets!

If you want to be more specific about your soil’s needs, take the results of your soil test to a garden centre and ask for specific advice. You can also ask any service who is looking after your lawn.

A great lawn is a healthy lawn… and a healthy lawn is a great lawn. The best solution for making a lawn healthy is to follow The WAVE’s tips about lawn care to give all-round success.