November 18, 2025

S3 E59 Tinfoil Turfgrass: Don't Use This Soil Test!

1 hour 22 minutes

In this episode of Turfgrass Epistemology, I review a popular lawn-care website article and an accompanying YouTube video that teach homeowners how to interpret a soil test that is, in reality, scientifically invalid for making nutrient decisions. These resources look polished and authoritative, but the advice they provide is fundamentally flawed — and following it can lead to unnecessary product applications, wasted money, and incorrect assumptions about soil health.

I’ll walk through both the website and the video step-by-step and explain:

Why the soil test they promote is not valid for nutrient recommendations

How certain companies use oversimplified or misleading soil interpretations to sell products

The scientific standards for a real soil test and what makes it trustworthy

How proper soil testing differs from marketing-driven “DIY” interpretations

What homeowners should actually look for when deciding if their lawn needs fertilizer, lime, or amendments

How to evaluate online lawn-care information and avoid advice that is not evidence-based

The goal of this video isn’t to criticize people — it’s to highlight why bad testing leads to bad decisions, and how to empower homeowners with the ability to recognize valid, science-based soil information.

If you’ve ever wondered whether the soil advice you see online is trustworthy, or how to distinguish real science from clever marketing, this episode will give you a clear, reliable framework for making informed choices.

🔬 Keywords: Dollar Spot, Bentgrass, Dew Removal, Nitrogen, Turfgrass Disease, Integrated Management

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Turfgrass Programs and Extension Service Information:

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By Travis Shaddox

4.7

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