NUTRIENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LAWN and GARDEN
 
 
NITROGEN
 
PHOSPHORUS
 
POTASSIUM
    
 
Soil Test Nitrogen lb/6 inches
 
Soil Test Phosphorus 1, ppm
 
Soil Test Potassium, ppm
    0  25
50
75
100
 
2
6
10
14
16+
 
20
60
100
140
161+
 
--- lb N/1000 sq. ft.---
  
--- lb P2O5/1000 sq. ft.---
  
--- lb K2O/1000 sq. ft.---
Garden
3.5
3.0
2.0
1.5
0.5
 
3.0
2.0
1.5
0.5
0
 
5.0
3.5
2.5
1.0
0
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Established 
Lawn
  4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
 
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0
 
4.5
3.5
2.0
1.0
0
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New Lawn
2.0
1.5
1.0
0
0
 
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0
 
4.5
3.5
2.0
1.0
0
1  Olsen (sodium bicarbonate) phosphorus soil test.

Lawn and Garden Statement:

  1. Garden when fertilizer is recommended. For vegetable gardens, any P or K recommended should be broadcast on the surface and worked in during seedbed preparation.  If recommended N is 1.5 lb/1000 sq. ft. or greater, split application with 1/3 applied during seedbed preparation and the remainder when vine crops, potatoes, and tomatoes have set fruit.  If recommended N is less than 1.5 lb/1000 sq.ft. delay N application until vine crops have set fruit.  For flower gardens apply recommended fertilizer in spring.      To supply the above nutrients, this formula is used to determine the quantity of a fertilizer material you need to apply:  (pounds of element recommended ÷ percent of that element in the fertilizer) x 100 = lbs. of fertilizer needed per 1000 sq. ft.  Repeat this calculation for each element that is recommended.  Application of P2O5 or K2O in amounts greater than recommended will not be harmful to growth.  Avoid broadcasting more nitrogen than recommended. 

  2. Lawn when fertilizer is recommended. The above nutrients should be broadcast on the surface as evenly as possible per 1,000 square feet (NOT lbs/a).  If three or more pounds of nitrogen is recommended, split the application into three and apply in early May, early August, and mid September.  If less than 3 pounds of nitrogen is recommended, apply half each in early May and mid September.   To supply the above nutrients, this formula is used to determine the quantity of a fertilizer material you need to apply:  (pounds of element ÷ percent of that element in the fertilizer) x 100 = lbs. of fertilizer needed per 1,000 sq. ft.  Repeat this calculation for each element that is recommended.  Application of P2O5 or K2O in amounts greater than recommended will not  be harmful to growth.  For additional information refer to the fertilizing section of the publication FS 715 Lawn Care.

  3. New lawn when fertilizer is recommended. The above nutrients should be broadcast on the surface and worked into the soil before seeding.  The above nutrients are per 1,000 square feet.

  4. Lawn and new lawn when pH is 7.6 or higher. Your pH is high.  This could lead to iron chlorosis symptoms on your grass.  This condition is characterized by bright yellow, irregular patches of grass scattered throughout the lawn.  If you have these symptoms, obtain an iron fertilizer product from your garden center and apply according to label directions.

  5. Trees or shrubs and pH is 7.6 or higher. Your pH is high.  This could lead to iron chlorosis symptoms on your trees or shrubs.  This condition is typically characterized by pale yellow leaves with green veins.  If you have these symptoms follow the enclosed fact sheet for correcting the problem.

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