How to Read and Interpret a Soil Test

By Allyn Hane, “The Lawn Care Nut”

Unlock the Secrets of Your Lawn with a Soil Test

You don’t need a soil test to get a nice-looking lawn—but if you want to take your turf from good to great, a soil test is the ultimate tool.

This guide shows you how to read your Yard Mastery Soil Test results and build a custom lawn fertilizer strategy for a greener, thicker, healthier lawn.

Why Do a Lawn Soil Test?

Just like blood work reveals your health status, a soil test shows which nutrients your lawn is lacking. You’ll uncover deficiencies in:

• Nitrogen (N)
• Phosphorus (P)
• Potassium (K)
• Micronutrients like Iron, Manganese, Zinc
• Soil pH levels

Correcting deficiencies based on data leads to targeted lawn care—no more guesswork, no wasted product.

The Four Lawn Care Fundamentals

1. Grass Coverage – If your lawn has at least 30% good grass, you can improve it. Less than that? Reseed or sod first.
2. Watering – Deep and infrequent is the rule. Grass needs water during dry spells to thrive.
3. Mowing – Mow more often for thicker turf. Follow the ⅓ rule: never remove more than one-third of the grass blade.
4. Fertilizing – Use Nitrogen and Iron every 4–5 weeks during the growing season to keep your lawn lush and green.

What to Expect From Your Soil Test

The test evaluates macronutrients (N-P-K), secondary nutrients (Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur), and micronutrients (Iron, Zinc, Manganese), along with your soil’s pH.

Use this information to:

• Correct deficiencies
• Balance soil pH
• Choose the right fertilizer blend

Use the Yard Mastery App

Upload your soil test and let the Soil Test–Informed Lawn Program (STILP) generate a custom fertilization schedule.

It’s based on:

• Your grass type
• Local soil temps
• Deficiency levels
• Seasonal needs

Download the Yard Mastery App

Fertilizer Strategy: Keep It Simple

Here’s a sample approach based on common soil test results:

• Spring: 12-12-12 Starter Fertilizer – Balanced N-P-K boost to kickstart growth
• Early Summer: 7-0-20 Stress Blend – Focus on Potassium during heat
• Mid-Summer: 17-7-6 Freedom – Festive balanced option for steady growth
• Late Summer: 24-0-6 Flagship – High Nitrogen green-up

Don’t Forget Bio-Stimulants

Apply bio-stimulants like 5-0-1 Spoon Juice or 0-0-2 MicroGreene between macro applications to feed soil microbes and support long-term health.

Common Lawn Soil Test Questions

Do I need to fix high levels? No—just avoid adding more of what’s already abundant.

How do I fix pH? Use:

• MAG-I-CAL PLUS Soil Food for Lawns in Alkaline (high pH) soils
• MAG-I-CAL PLUS Soil Food for Lawns in Acidic (low pH) soils

Adjust pH slowly over multiple seasons for long-term improvement.

Tips for Ongoing Success

• Apply macro-ferts every 4–5 weeks
• Use Nitrogen in every application (“Nitrogen drives the bus!”)
• Use your soil test to guide—not control—your decisions
• Track changes over time: take pictures and use the app

Final Thoughts

Your lawn is like your fitness: results come from consistency, not hacks. Commit to watering, mowing, and applying fertilizer based on real data from your soil test.

Throw’er Down—and Hope for the Best!

Need More Help?

Join Yard Care Bootcamp for a complete beginner-friendly lawn care course, taught by Allyn himself.