HELP! Soil issues (I think)

[rscamarochad]

Ok I am kinda new to landscaping in general. My question is...I have a customer with a new site built home. The pad for the home was built up to solve a flooding problem, but the dirt that was used to build up the pad was just that old southern builders sand like they use under foundations and what not. I fear that this soil has little to no nutrient value. Before I took on this customer the builder already laid down a ton of St. Augustine grass(about a year ago). The grass seems to be doing alright(not dying) however it isn't growing much at all, and the weather here is already excellent. I have hit the lawn once already with Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed, and an application of Ironite, just today, but I noticed very little result. Can anyone recommend a course of action to take next, if the Ironite doesn't do it? Should I have the soil Ph tested and go from there, or what. I absolutely do not want to rip up the current sod. The customer has stated that that is out of the question this year, but I would like to get his yard looking as good as some of my other customers lawns look. I would be willing to bring in manure or some kind of top dress to put over the current lawn. I am essentially just trying to cure the dirt that is there, not replace it.

[FSully]

Should I have the soil Ph tested and go from there

The soil test should have been the step #1

[rscamarochad]

Yea your right I regret that. I didn't know it was going to be a problem until the initial fertilizer application didn't have a good result. I thought the grass was just struggling because they put it down at the wrong time of year or something.

[jrservices]

The soil test should have been the step #1

That will help give you some analysis of what is really needed for the soil. Good post.

[Hydro DRIVE®]

You just made a misapplication of a pesticide (2-4d on St Aug.).

Read the product label.

You better pray the homeowner does not turn you into the proper authorities for being unlicensed and uninsured.

[rscamarochad]

Whoa Man Calm yourself down just a tad...... First of all I may not be a professional like you sir, but I do know that nothing that refers to the growing or destruction of plant life is called a pesticide. I am on this forum seeking valuable information, not a scolding from someone who may or may not be border line illiterate. I request that in the future, before you drop the judgement ball, examine your reply to ensure that you indeed have something good to say. I did read the label on everything I put on the lawn. The strain of St. Augustine that this customers lawn is comprised of, is just fine for use with the types of weed and feed ("herbicide and fertilizer") I put on it. It is not of the improved variety usually found in Florida. I read the labels very very carefully on all the products I use. I may not be a full on pro like you sir, but I am in this business for the love of green (grass that is).

[jrservices]

Whoa Man Calm yourself down just a tad...... First of all I may not be a professional like you sir, but I do know that nothing that refers to the growing or destruction of plant life is called a pesticide. I am on this forum seeking valuable information, not a scolding from someone who may or may not be border line illiterate. I request that in the future, before you drop the judgement ball, examine your reply to ensure that you indeed have something good to say. I did read the label on everything I put on the lawn. The strain of St. Augustine that this customers lawn is comprised of, is just fine for use with the types of weed and feed ("herbicide and fertilizer") I put on it. It is not of the improved variety usually found in Florida. I read the labels very very carefully on all the products I use. I may not be a full on pro like you sir, but I am in this business for the love of green (grass that is).

I believe what Larry Stones point was , in order to put down weed & feed, which is a pesticide, one must be licensed in order to do it for hire. a fact. Not trying to break your stones, but point you in the right direction. From what you are saying, it's obvious you are not licensed.

[lawnguy26]

Ok I am kinda new to landscaping in general. My question is...I have a customer with a new site built home. The pad for the home was built up to solve a flooding problem, but the dirt that was used to build up the pad was just that old southern builders sand like they use under foundations and what not. I fear that this soil has little to no nutrient value. Before I took on this customer the builder already laid down a ton of St. Augustine grass(about a year ago). The grass seems to be doing alright(not dying) however it isn't growing much at all, and the weather here is already excellent. I have hit the lawn once already with Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed, and an application of Ironite, just today, but I noticed very little result. Can anyone recommend a course of action to take next, if the Ironite doesn't do it? Should I have the soil Ph tested and go from there, or what. I absolutely do not want to rip up the current sod. The customer has stated that that is out of the question this year, but I would like to get his yard looking as good as some of my other customers lawns look. I would be willing to bring in manure or some kind of top dress to put over the current lawn. I am essentially just trying to cure the dirt that is there, not replace it.

St. Augustin turf usually does pretty well in sandy soils. Gonna need a lot more info before we can give you advice. Sun exposure, watering habits, what cultivar of St. Aug., what rate did you put the weed and feed down at....etc. Iron is execellent for green up but does not promote growth, not to mention if your soil is lacking in certain nutrients or if the pH is off the Iron will just get locked up in the soil. If it was my lawn I'd hit with a complete fertilizer, with a SRN, with a 2:1 ratio of N and K, at 1 lb. of N per 1000sq. ft. It should also have micro nutrients. I'd then spray it with liquid Urea at a 1/2 lb. and Iron Sulfate. That'll make it pop.

[rscamarochad]

Wow see now that's the kind of technical help I was looking for. Around where I work the isn't much in the way of lawsuits. I am just a guy with a spreader that was helping my customer out. He asked me if I could put something down and I abliged with the time and equipment. I guess you'd just kinda have to know how we operate in the small town environment. Yes there are people who are licensed, and who would likely do a great job, but their prices reflect that experience, and truly where I live I would have to have someone from a larger city about 45 miles away come out and do it and that would be very expensive. I appreciate any useable information I can get off of this board because the alternative is very cost ineffective where I live. More or less we are just neighbors helping neighbors where I live. Sometimes one person knows more than another about a certain topic and even though I admit I am a novice I at least try to be an informed novice and for that I use this board alot. Thank you to anyone who can help me out with good information.

[RatherbeBassin']

Waco Texas... Small town environment... What would happen if I went to Waco and started a church?

Maybe call it Heaven's Gate or possibly Branch Davidiains version 2.1?

[Woody]

You just made a misapplication of a pesticide (2-4d on St Aug.).

Read the product label.

You better pray the homeowner does not turn you into the proper authorities for being unlicensed and uninsured.

I'm going to be straight up with you "rscamarochad". I couldn't care less if you like the post I quoted or not, it is 100% TRUE AND ACCURATE!

Think what you want of me or anyone else here, but if you can't stand the heat, get the hell out of the kitchen! ONLY SCRUBS AND HOMEOWNERS USE HOMEOWNER BRANDED AND LABELLED PRODUCTS!!!

PROFESSIONALS, on the other hand, use professional products, and know enough to not make a bad problem worse by misapplying pesticides. And, for the record, if you think 2,4-D is NOT a pesticide, you sir are a MORON!

Here is the BEST advice you can receive. Go subcontract out a company that is LICENSED, INSURED, and KNOWLEDGEABLE on the subject and quit your half-assed GUESSING!