Soil Testing

Why bother

A soil test shows what is in your ground before you add more. Without one, your fertiliser programme is a guess. You might pay for nutrients your court doesn't need or miss the one it lacks.

A standard test covers pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, and available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur. For warm-season turf like couch, you are generally aiming for a soil pH around 6.5.

Testing schedules vary by nutrient. Phosphorus and potassium change slowly and can be retested every 5 to 10 years. Nitrogen moves faster and needs more frequent checks.

For an established area, a general cadence of every 2 to 3 years is sensible. You should test more often if you are actively correcting a deficiency.

Who does it

Two labs service Queensland sports turf specifically:

• SESL Australia: they offer a full list of tests, from basic nutrient panels to detailed soil health packages.
• Nutrient Advantage (part of Incitec Pivot): they provide full nutrient analysis with management recommendations to diagnose problems.

Pricing depends on the package you choose. Contact the labs directly for a current quote based on your club's needs.

When to do it

The dormancy months from late June to August are a good window. The court isn't actively growing then.

Testing now gives you time to plan your September application around the results.

See also

• Understanding N-P-K
• Getting the Lawn Through a Hot, Dry Summer