NJ Lawns Community

Been fighting weeds in my lawn for years and finally got a soil test - turns out my pH is way off! Nobody mentions this in lawn care ads - end of my rant. I've tried every product under the sun from Lawn Doctor and those guys. Spend hundreds on weed and feed, aeration, the whole nine yards. Still have crabgrass taking over my backyard in Rutherford and dandelions everywhere in the front. Finally my neighbor told me to go get a soil test done at Rutgerscooper extension. $20 test changed EVERYTHING. My pH was 5.2 - WAY acidic for our area! No wonder nothing was working. Tall fescue and KBG need pH around 6.0-6.5 to even absorb nutrients. But you watch any Home Depot or Lone Star ad - it's all about the miracle fertilizers and sprays. Nobody says 'hey maybe get your soil tested first.' I'm heated.

PREACH!! I been saying this for YEARS in this group. Your soil is the foundation - treat it right and everything else falls into place. I've been composting in my backyard in Demarest for 8 years and my lawn hasn't seen weed killer since 2019. The thing is, most lawn care companies make money selling you products repeatedly. They don't want you to know that adding good compost annually fixes so many problems naturally. My earthworm population is through the roof now and the soil is so fluffy you can dig it with your hands. Also what they don't tell you - our glacial soil here in Bergen County is naturally acidic anyway. Like you said, most lawns around here probably need lime. Get the test done people!

Hard agree but also gonna push back a little. It's not entirely the companies' fault - some people just want the quick fix. I've had neighbors ask me what herbicide to use and haven't even tested their soil. Meanwhile I'm over here in Englewood doing organic amendments and taking my time. That said, the Rutgers test is super cheap. Like $20 and they give you exact recommendations. I'd add that timing matters too - you can't just throw lime anywhere. Do it in fall or early spring. And if you're on clay like half of us in the Pascack Valley, you definitely need to address compaction first or nothing absorbs right. My 2 cents - get the test, amend accordingly, then maintain. Takes longer but works better long term.

@WeedWarrior yeah you're right about the compacted clay - forgot to mention that's part of my issue too. Got the core aeration done last month and started applying pelletized lime based on the test results. Already seeing some difference in the front yard. Question for you two - anyone used the Jersey City gypsum products? My test said I need calcium too because of the clay. Debating between gypsum and more compost.

Gypsum is fine as a quick fix but honestly just pile on the compost. You'll get calcium plus a ton of other benefits. I get free leaf compost from the Bergen County utilities authority drop-off in Moonachie. Every fall I bag up my leaves and they turn it into the good stuff. Don't pay for bagged compost at the garden centers if you can help it. The county stuff is practically free and full of biology. Been using it for years.

+1 for the county compost. I use it too. Also @LawnLover just be patient - you won't see full results until next season sometimes. This time of year in NJ (July) your grass is stressed anyway. Focus on getting that pH right over the next few months and by next spring you'll be amazed. Also pro tip - get a follow-up test next year to see where your pH landed. Don't guess.