Soil Test Interpretation: High pH (7.5) Is the Main Issue

Southwest Ohio homeowner got soil test results: pH 7.5, OM 3.8%, CEC 18.8, Ca 79.7% saturation, Mg 18%, K 2.2%. Confused by the numbers.

Plain English:

• pH 7.5 = too high (alkaline). Ideal: 6.0–6.5. High pH locks up P, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu—grass can't access them.
• DO NOT ADD LIME. Makes it worse.
• Fix: Elemental sulfur (agricultural grade) per label. Lowers pH slowly. Espoma Soil Acidifier is one product.
• Other numbers: OM 3.8% = decent. Ca/Mg/K saturations = fine for clay soil. P (35) and K (193) = adequate.

Action plan:

1. Apply sulfur per soil test recommendation (or 5–10 lbs/1000 sq ft split apps)
2. Retest in 6 months
3. As pH drops, locked nutrients release naturally
4. Then fertilize based on *new* test

Lab reports overwhelm. Focus on pH first. Everything else follows.