Knowing what nutrients are available in the soil is the foundation to ensuring that all crops, including grass, get off to the best possible start. A basic soil test will provide phosphate, potassium and magnesium indices, as well as information on soil pH status.
The benefits of knowing what you are dealing with speak for themselves. However in Northern Ireland there is an added regulatory incentive because, without current soil test results, the assumption has to be that the soil is at Index 2 for phosphate (P). This means in most cases no P or only a limited amount of P fertiliser can be applied following the guidelines in RB209, unless soil analysis shows that more is required.
Soil analysis kits are available from Thompsons. Ring the main office in Belfast for yours and get testing.