Soil Testing and Interpretation for Florida Turfgrasses


John Cisar, a professor of Environmental Horticulture at the University of Florida's Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, is studying how turfgrass and other landscape plants can help prevent nitrogen from leaching through the soil into groundwater, Wednesday - Aug. 13, 2003. He said three years of research have shown that turfgrass is most effective in reducing nitrogen leaching and should be used in Florida landscapes. Other plants require more time to become established and slow nitrogen leaching through the soil.
Most people agree that healthy, well-maintained turfgrass is a thing of beauty. The successful growth of turfgrass is aided by having knowledge of a few basic facts concerning the nutritional requirements of turfgrasses and the properties of fertilizer and liming materials. This four-page document will help the reader understand how soil testing may be used to more efficiently manage nutrient applications for Florida turfgrasses. Written by T.W. Shaddox and J.B. Sartain and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil and Water Sciences, October 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS317

General Recommendations for Fertilization of Turfgrasses on Florida Soils

gator head on lawn
In many neighborhoods, people envy the individual with the most beautiful lawn and think they cannot grow a lawn of equal quality. That is not necessarily true. A well-maintained lawn only requires some knowledge about fertilization, watering, pest control, and mowing. This publication provides basic information about fertilization. By far, the best approach to a proper fertilization program is to start with a soil test, but, if a soil test is not available, these guidelines can be used for a general turfgrass fertilization program. Original publication date May 1991. Revised August 2013 and August 2015.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh014

Using Reclaimed Water to Irrigate Turfgrass: Lessons Learned from Research with Phosphorus

Figure 1.  The overview of greenhouse operation showing the growing tubs with the established sod and the drains for collecting leachate. Credit: Dr. Jinghua FanMunicipal wastes are treated at a wastewater treatment facility to produce biosolids and reclaimed water. Reclaimed water treated by filtration and chlorination is safe to use for designated purposes, such as residential landscape irrigation. Florida began using reclaimed water in 1966, and it is a leading state for using reclaimed water. Approximately 660 million gallons of reclaimed water are used every day in Florida, and the state encourages using reclaimed water as an alternative water source to reduce the pressure on potable water supplies. This 3-page fact sheet summarizes the results of a recent research project and provides research-based information for improving nutrient and water management with reclaimed water irrigation of turfgrass. Written by George Hochmuth, Jinghua Fan, Jason Kruse, and Jerry Sartain, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss592

Using Reclaimed Water to Irrigate Turfgrass: Lessons Learned from Research with Nitrogen

Figure 1.  The overview of greenhouse operation showing the growing tubs with the established sod and the drains for collecting leachate. Credit: Dr. Jinghua FanMunicipal wastes are treated at a wastewater treatment facility to produce biosolids and reclaimed water. Reclaimed water treated by filtration and chlorination is safe to use for designated purposes, such as residential landscape irrigation. Florida began using reclaimed water in 1966, and it is a leading state for using reclaimed water. Approximately 660 million gallons of reclaimed water are used every day in Florida, and the state encourages using reclaimed water as an alternative water source to reduce the pressure on potable water supplies. This 5-page fact sheet summarizes the results of a recent research project and provides research-based information for improving nutrient and water management with reclaimed water irrigation of turfgrass. Written by George Hochmuth, Jinghua Fan, Jason Kruse, and Jerry Sartain, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss591

How to Characterize Soil Variability in Florida Citrus Groves as It Relates to Tree Growth and Yield (SL556/SS557)

Figure 1. Aerial photograph of a Florida citrus grove showing the spatial variability of tree growth.Non-uniform tree growth and fruit yield are very common throughout many Florida citrus groves, but variable groves are typically managed as if they were uniform. This 4-page fact sheet provides information about the relationship between soil variability and citrus production, proposes recommendations for soil sampling that account for spatial variability, and suggests site-specific management practices for variable Florida citrus groves. Written by Kirandeep K. Mann, Arnold W. Schumann, Thomas A. Obreza, Willie G. Harris, and Jerry B. Sartain, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss557

SL-3/SS170 The Florida Fertilizer Label

Revised! SL-3, a 5-page fact sheet by J.B. Sartain, is included in the Florida Lawn Handbook and the Florida Master Gardener Handbook. It describes the information required by law to be shown on the fertilizer label in Florida. Published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS170

SL-181/SS317 Soil and Tissue Testing and Interpretation for Florida Turfgrasses

Revisd! SL-181, an 8-page fact sheet by J.B. Sartain, provides essential basic facts about the nutritional requirements of turfgrasses, the properties of fertilizer and liming materials, and how to use them to maintain sufficient nutrient levels through soil and tissue analysis. Published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS317

ENH1115/WQ143 Frequently Asked Questions about Landscape Fertilization for Florida Friendly Landscaping Ordinances

ENH-1115, a 10-page fact sheet by Sartain, J.B., L.E. Trenholm, E.F. Gilman, T.A. Obreza, and G. Toor, was created to help guide local government officials in developing local regulations based on science. It uses a question-and-answer format to address common concerns related to fertilizers, best management practices (BMPs), landscapes and their maintenance. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, December 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/WQ143