Question
I live In Virginia and have  a fescue lawn. It's May and I've already put fertilizer and weed and feed down,twice. I plan on putting grub control down soon. I have not tested the PH, and was going to put down some lime. Should I test the ph or just put some lime down. It sure Is alot of work keeping a yard up. Would the lime hurt the yard If I put It down without first testing the ph?
I was thinking of buying the "professional PH meter". I think Its around $100. Would this be a good investment, or just buy the $6 kits?
Thank you
Dennis

Answer
Greetings Dennis:
1. You do not need to put down "Weed and Feed" more than once in such a short time.
Two factors to consider when fertilizing lawns are how much and when to apply. About 3 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per growing season is suggested for most full-sun lawns. Split into 2 or 3 applications, with each single application of nitrogen being about 1 pound per 1,000 sq. ft. About half as much nitrogen should be used for areas under trees.
To Figure How Much Nitrogen Fertilizer to Apply To Lawns:
a. Divide rate of nitrogen desired by percent nitrogen in bag (first number of 3 on bag, use decimal form)
b. Multiply answer found by square footage of lawn and divide by 1,000
EXAMPLE: 15-5-10 fertilizer, 7,000 sq ft, we will want to apply 1 lb. Nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft
a. 1 lbs. divided by .15 = 6.66, round to 6.7
b. 6.7 multiplied by 7,000 = 46,900; divided by 1,000 = 46.9, or 47 pounds
Therefore, we need about 47 pounds of 15-5-10 fertilizer to cover entire lawn
The best time to fertilize cool-season grasses, including Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescue (creeping red fescue, hard fescue, sheep fescue, and chewings fescue), in Virginia is from August 15 through November. Excessive spring application of nitrogen to cool-season grasses in Virginia leads to excessive leaf growth at the expense of stored food reserves and root growth, increasing injury to lawns from summer disease and drought.
See Lawn Fertilization in Virginia:
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/turf/430-011/430-011.html

2. Grub control in your area should be done in late July to early August. Grubs will do most of their damage in late August and September. You should consult with you local County Extension office for the proper timing. (See the web site I have given you below for the County Extension location near you.).

3. Get A Soil Test. It is inexpensive for the amount of information you will receive and it won't cost you the $100.
Testing the soil is the best way to determine the nutrients your soil may be lacking and the amounts required to provide the best start for your new lawn. A soil test will also indicated the soil pH (acidity or alkalinity) that may need to be adjusted. Soil testing information and services are available through private testing companies or your County Extension office (See the web site I have given you below for the County Extension location near you.).
When you send your soil sample in to be tested, request that the testing service provide you with fertilizer and other amendment recommendations for your lawn.
To take a soil sample for testing use a spade, trowel or bulb planter to remove a plug of soil six inches deep. Obtain similar cores from other random locations in the area of your lawn. Do not take samples were fertilizer, or other chemicals may have been applied. Mix the soil thoroughly in a clean pail. Remove about a half pint of the well mixed soil and let it dry at room temperature. Remove debris such as leaves, vegetation, sticks and large stones. Fill the soil test container to the amount required. Either mail or deliver to the soil test facility.
 
4. Soils in Virginia are typically acid, and it may be necessary to add lime occasionally to keep the soil pH near 6.2, the ideal for quality turfgrass. A soil test every two to three years will tell how much lime to apply.

Local Cooperative Extension (Virginia):
http://www.ext.vt.edu/offices/

Another web site for your area:
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-717/426-717.html

Have a good lawn!
Floyd McMahon